(Photo: YouTube)

GOP Congressman Michael Grimm has faced a barrage of bad headlines since the start of this year, most recently an article in today's New York Times with the word "mob ties" in the title. These headlines have been further amplified by his Democratic opponent, Mark Murphy, bombarding Mr. Grimm on the airwaves and implying the incumbent is a crook. Well, Mayor Rudy Giuliani--possibly buoyed by the boat the congressman is trying to name after him--has come to the rescue.

"Hi, I'm Rudy Giuliani," the former mayor says directly to the camera in Mr. Grimm's latest television ad. "Don't be fooled by the shameful attacks in the media, Michael Grimm's character and integrity are second to none. Michael Grimm is a great congressman and an outstanding representative for Staten Island and Brooklyn."

Attacking the media is a common tactic of Mr. Grimm's when faced with criticism, so it's unsurprising Mr. Giuliani would echo that position. In the campaign commercial, he also praises the congressman's status as one of the most legislatively productive freshmen in the U.S. House.

"Michael's record is remarkable for a first-term lawmaker," Mr. Giuliani continued. "And I'm proud to strongly support our congressman, Michael Grimm. So join me, Rudy Giuliani, in supporting Michael Grimm for Congress. An effective leader, whose record is as impressive as his lifetime of service."

Update: Mr. Murphy's campaign spokesman Dan Morris wasn't impressed with Mr. Giuliani parachuting in to help his Republican friend and issued the following statement: “Scandal-scarred Michael Grimm knows he has lost the support of many voters and is now seriously worried about losing the election. Surrogates like Rudy Giuliani and John Boehner do nothing to change the fact that Grimm is facing multiple federal investigations, and getting buried under an avalanche of unanswered questions about his shady associations with criminals and mobsters. Grimm will need to do a lot more than roll out TV ads to convince people he isn't crooked."

Watch below: