Harold Ford Jr., 36, is a Democrat and a member of the United States House of Representatives. He represents the 9th congressional district in the state of Tennessee, centered on Memphis. Ford received a B.A. degree in American history from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992, and he received his J.D. (law degree) from the University of Michigan Law School in 1996. When Harold Ford Sr. decided to retire from congress, Ford Jr. ran for his seat and won at the age of 26. He has been re-elected four times without serious Republican opposition, averaging 80% of the vote in the heavily black-majority 9th district. (the above background information was gathered from Wikipedia.com and Ford Jr’s congressional web site)

Harold Ford, Sr. held the office in the 9th congressional district from 1975-1996, so Ford Jr. winning the seat, although commendable, was not necessarily “an uphill battle.” His dad pretty much handed it to him and Ford has been given opportunities that others did not have access to because of his dad’s connections. His father’s reputation got him in office, but his competency as a congressman has kept him in office. Ford has made the bold decision to campaign for a Senate seat this year, challenging the Republican candidate, Bob Corker. This is the seat being vacated by retiring Majority Leader Bill Frist, a long time republican dominated seat. Although his father faced little opposition during his tenure in office, Ford Jr. is currently in the fight of his life to win the senate seat.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has engaged in a series of personal attacks on Harold Ford, Jr in addition to the attacks that are coming from the local republican candidate, Bob Corker. The republicans are trying to raise concerns in the minds of voters over some of Ford’s family members questionable dealings and behaviors. His brother, Jake, admitted to having several arrests in his early teens and twenties included DUI, marijuana possession, assault on his father, and assault on a former girlfriend. Despite this history, Jake Ford,34, is running to replace his brother Harold in the house of representatives. Harold has not endorsed any candidate in the race to fill his old seat. The other issue that is being raised by the RNC is Ford Jr. allegedly is a “play boy” and has allegedly received funds from some individuals in the porn industry. Finally, the RNC, is for some reason trying to raise the issue that Ford allegedly dates outside of his race, specifically white women.

He is often accused of being a sleek “pretty boy” and the RNC and Corker are utilizing his image to try and attack him. Ford has consistently been viewed though as one of the most competent and capable Democratic representatives in the house. The election is very close, and in efforts to sway the race the RNC released this ad. Does this ad cross the line? Does it offend you?

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Although Ford has been elected to office like his father, unlike his father he is facing much opposition in his fight. Republican candidate Bob Corker has maintained that he did not have any ties to this ad and it came from the RNC, but it is very suspect to think that a republican candidate would not have ties to the committee. Critics of the ad claim that it degrades black women as ignorant portraying them as voters that look for a candidate that “looks good.” Critics of the ad also say that the ad crosses the line with the use of a white woman as a satirical piece to criticize Ford’s tendency to date outside of his race. Does the ad cross the line? Is the ad racist or is it simply a part of politics? Should a candidate’s personal life have any thing to do with their political life? Who cares what race he dates, isn’t this 2006?

Ford Jr, clearly angered by the ad appeared at Bob Corker’s press conference to confront him. Although I try and just report the story, I have to admit I wanted to call Ford and give him a “high five” for having the guts to do this!

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“Meet the Press” has offered to host a debate featuring the two candidates, but Ford is the only one that accepted the invitation so far. Ford also has not engaged in the personal attacks that are coming from Corker and the RNC. The RNC has pulled the ad due to the controversy, but the damage has already been done. It is interesting to release an ad that you know was over the line and then pull it so more people will go online to see why. It is political strategy. I believe they released the ad with the intent to pull it. Politicians perform focus groups to gauge responses to ads before they are released.

Ford Jr has a history of being a middle of the road democrat, which causes much concern for Corker. He has voted conservatively on some issues. Is it fair for the RNC to attack him personally? He was even considered as a good vice-presidential candidate, but he turned 35 after the required deadline in the last presidential election. This is a race to watch because it is a true gauge of the fight at hand to take majority control in Congress.