Conservative radio host Lars Larson told Fox News on Tuesday that it was “perfectly fair” for Republican candidates to use images from a video of an American journalist being beheaded in campaign ads attacking President Barack Obama.

A campaign video advertisement released on Monday by New Mexican Republican Senate candidate Allen Weh includes a frame from a gruesome video which showed the beheading of American photographer James Foley. The ad crops out Foley so only the disturbing image of the masked killer holding a knife is visible.

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The ad goes on to slam President Barack Obama for playing golf, and tries to link Weh’s opponent, Democratic Sen. Tom Udall, to the administration’s foreign policy.

Former Obama campaign consultant Marjorie Clifton pointed out to Fox News on Tuesday that the ad “creates a really distasteful environment in terms of negative campaigning.”

Larson, however, called the ad “perfectly fair.”

“James Foley’s executioner, the image is very powerful,” he insisted. “It reminds us of something important. A lot of Democrats don’t want to be tied to this president’s policies — although they are — because this president is playing while ISIS is out killing people.”

“It isn’t September 10th any more,” Larson added. “It is past Sept. 11th, 2001. It’s a different era. And this president, back when he wanted this job, said, ‘I will give up vacations, I will give up time with my family.’ Well, he’s done anything but. He’s the playboy president.”

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“So of course, you’re going to see that image played.”

Watch the video below from Fox News’ Happening Now, broadcast Aug. 26, 2014.