Presidential hopeful Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) is more excited about laying claim to the Oval Office than a ravenous pit bull in an unguarded nursery. And he’s not afraid to trample a few wee pups to get there.

In a recent campaign ad, Paul browbeats his fellow Republican challengers thusly: “What’s with these sorry politicians? Lots of bark. But when it’s showtime, whimpering like little Shih Tzus.”

Lambasting lapdogs? Sir, them’s fighting words in some parts.

Just not around the Capitol, it seems.

We reached out to Shih Tzu-owning GOP Sens. Mark Kirk (Ill.) and Scott Brown (Mass.) — hi, Snuggles! — for a little reaction to Paul’s anti-toy-dog rhetoric but were met only with cold, deafening silence.

Confidence is high that if the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) were still around, he would storm onto the Senate floor and loose a long-winded tirade in defense of his beloved Trouble, another proud Shih Tzu.

Sounds like these days, lawmakers are perfectly willing to take overarching swipes at their silly little pets lying down.