Benjy Sarlin June 6, 2011, 5:35 PM

Capitalizing off of Rep. Anthony Weiner’s (D-NY) shock press conference admitting to sending lewd tweets to a college student, Republican officials are trying to tar Democrats with the lawmaker’s scandal.

“It’s time for Democratic leadership to explain why Congressman Weiner’s actions never aroused any suspicion, and why they rushed to his defense while so many Americans were shocked and confused by his bizarre and disturbing behavior,” Paul Lindsay, communications director for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement.

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) called for an ethics committee investigation immediately after the press conference to “determine whether any official resources were used or any other violation of House rules occurred.”

On the Senate side, the National Republican Senatorial Committee is targeting Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who has worked closely with Weiner for years, for saying last week he was “virtually certain” the Congressman had nothing to do with the lewd tweet.

“Given Senator Schumer’s emphatic statement last week that he was ‘virtually certain’ his protégé ‘had nothing to do’ with the recent lewd tweet sent to a 21 year old college student, his current silence over these most recent allegations is notable,” an NRSC spokesman said in a statement. “Was this yet another instance where Chuck Schumer rushed out to the press armed with less than all the facts on an issue? Does he agree with his protégé’s assertion that a private investigation is required to determine whether or not that was him in the gray underwear? We look forward to hearing from New York’s media-friendly senior Senator in the hours ahead.”

Anthony Weiner, Chuck Schumer, NRCC, NRSC, Nancy Pelosi