Saying he was responding "to attacks made by the Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Bobby Wood," Jim Hester, the Harold Ford for Senate campaign manager, released the following statement:

"Some Tennessee Republican partisans want to make this race for the U.S. Senate about Harold Ford's family. It makes sense in one regard because he is the frontrunner, and the Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate have few new ideas or strategies about how to make our government more responsible and responsive to Tennesseans. So, instead the state Republican Party leaders attack his family.

"Harold Ford, Jr. is running for the U.S. Senate, not anyone else. Harold Ford, Jr. is his own man, with his own ideas, beliefs and vision for our state's and country's future. He is running for the U.S. Senate to bring change for a better future so that our government works for everyone, not just a few. If Tennessee voters send Harold Ford, Jr. to the Senate next November, he will follow the tradition of leadership, moderation and pragmatism set by so many great Tennessee Senators before him, including Kefauver, Baker and Gore.

"Republican extremists have been attacking Harold Ford, Jr. non-stop for the last year, rather than addressing the concerns of voters. One day, they criticize him for raising money for his campaign; the next day they lie about his record on gay marriage, tax cuts and defense. The next day they criticize his family. It is time they start articulating their agenda for the future. The voters deserve to know if the Republicans running for the Senate support the massive government spending and unfair tax policies that Republican majorities in the House and Senate have supported for the past 5 years.

"Harold Ford, Jr.'s Republican opponents and the extreme partisans in their party need to explain what they would do differently than President Bush to keep good paying jobs in Tennessee, especially in our hard hit rural areas in middle and west Tennessee. The current White House plan to create and keep good paying jobs in Tennessee just isn't working.

"Harold Ford, Jr. is offering ideas and answers, including new tax policies to reward business owners who create jobs in America and pay for their workers health insurance. Our campaign believes that lowering the regulatory burden on business owners and farmers is one sure way to help keep Americans working and keep our economy strong.

"Tennesseans don't want the negative campaigning and attacks. They want, and deserve, answers on how to bring victory and a dignified end to the war in Iraq, how to make health care affordable and protect pensions from greedy and irresponsible corporate executives and how to free America from Middle East oil.

"Our campaign will continue offering answers to real problems and respond to the needs of Tennesseans. Voters want an intelligent and vigorous discussion of the issue. It is my hope that our Republican opponents and their extreme partisans will join us in a serious debate about the issues affecting Tennesseans."