Fred Thompson, who was swept into the Senate as part of the 1994 Republican revolution, said he was upset to see his former Majority Leader Bob Dole badmouthing Newt Gingrich lately, even hinting that Dole was being exploited by the Romney campaign.

“I think it’s unfortunate that they go to these elder statesmen of the parties at their stage in life and solicit things like that,” he said. “I have my own opinion, I disagree with Bob Dole even though I respect Bob Dole very much.”

Asked by TPM whether his reference to that “stage in life” suggested Dole was too infirm to render sound judgement, Thompson clarified that he took issue with the Romney campaign’s effort to court the former presidential nominee.

“He’s been in bad health, he’s had bad legs,” Thompson said. “I hate it when people irritate folks like that…you know they shouldn’t be bugged and dragged into all this, but if they want to they’re plenty capable of making their own decisions.”

Asked for comment, Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul replied: “Speaker Gingrich is an unreliable leader and those who know him best have felt the urgency to speak up.”