Ford Denounces New Corker Ad

Democrat U-S Senate candidate Harold Ford Junior, criticized the newest negative ad released from his opponent, Republican Bob Corker yesterday.

The ad criticizes Ford for a 1-thousand dollar donation to the legal defense fund of Dwain Kyles, a former campaign manager for Ford’s father. Kyles was indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges after a fire and subsequent stampede, killed 21 people in his Chicago nightclub in 2003.

At a campaign stop at Fisk University in Nashville yesterday, Ford says Corker has been running a negative campaign since early September.

“And you really have to ask the question, why do you think Mr. Corker and the Republican National Committee that we in Tennessee would want to see ads like that. I mean, they, Mr. Corker and the RNC have underestimated the decency of people in our state. It appears from here on out he’s going to do nothing but be negative. And I’m going to continue to be positive and lay out a vision for the future of the country.”

Corker spokesman Todd Womack says Corker has had a number of positive ads.

“We last week had ads up where Bob talked about issues like national security and health care. So certainly, we have run a campaign that is focused on issues, that has been positive, but has also pointed out Congressman Ford and who he is.”

Laura Bush was in Franklin and Kingsport yesterday stumping for Corker. Former President Bill Clinton will be in Memphis campaigning for Ford today, as will Retired General Wesley Clark. Illinois Senator Barack Obama will also be in the state on Ford’s behalf later this week.