The Democratic National Committee has enlisted the nation’s military to help build an opposition research file on potential Republican presidential challengers in 2012. ABC News reports:

The Democratic National Committee formally has asked the Pentagon for reams of correspondence between military agencies and nine potential Republican presidential candidates, a clear indication that Democrats are building opposition-research files on specific 2012 contenders even before the midterm elections.

An internal Army e-mail obtained by ABC News indicates that the DNC has filed Freedom of Information Act requests for “any and all records of communication” between Army departments and agencies and each of the nine Republicans — all of whom are widely mentioned as possible challengers to President Obama.

The Pentagon has been directed by Democrats to provide the information by this coming Friday — just four days before the crucial midterm election. The nine potential Republican contenders being researched are:

• Sarah Palin
• Mitt Romney
• Haley Barbour
• Tim Pawlenty
• Mike Huckabee
• Newt Gingrich
• John Thune
• Mitch Daniels
• Bobby Jindal

Democrats are reportedly seeking embarrassing information on their Republican rivals — information they hope to find in private correspondence between said candidates and the Department of Defense. In the words of the DNC’s request:

According to the memo, the DNC’s request asks for “Any and all records of communication (including but not limited to letters, written requests, reports, telephone records, electronic communication, complaints, investigations, violation and memos) between your department (and all divisions and agencies under your jurisdiction).”

The DNC has no immediate comment but apparently confirmed the request. The Pentagon tells ABC News that it has received the request and is in the process of responding.