GOP election strategy

It seems as we move forward to the midterm elections that a strategy is unfolding to use the damage done to the United States via terror to gain political advantage. It is clear from polling in Mass. that the threat of terror is on the minds of Americans, but is that a reason to politicize the fear. The article points out this strategy of the GOP to expose the hint of weakness in the Democrat's and the Presidents ability to protect the country.
My thought on this is not weather this is a viable strategy to gain election wins, as it may very well be. My concern would lie in the prudence of the decision to exploit a potential weakness in American defenses. If the GOP members in Congress see real threats it is their responsibility to bring to light not only those weaknesses but also corrective action. If they intend to use this solely as a political strategy it seems like this strategy has the ability to cause more harm than good for the country. Divisive rhetoric over the safety and security of the nation has a dangerous ramification to embolden the enemies of the U.S.
If the rhetoric encourages more attacks on the country by exposing weakness (real or imaginary) regardless of its potential to win elections then it is irresponsible. This (National security) is an issue that should not be used to expose partisanship. It should be an issue that draws both parties, and all branches together to seek best approaches and fixes. At this point with the writing on the wall for the strategies for the 2010 midterms one has to ask is this the best strategy for the Country as a whole.