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(Sunday,10/08/2006 © Memphis Commercial Appeal)
By Richard Locker
Contact
October 8, 2006
U.S. Senate candidates Bob Corker and Harold Ford Jr. conducted a spirited and generally amicable debate Saturday night in Memphis but sparred over Corker's assertion that the Memphis congressman is part of a "Ford political machine."
Corker first used the phrase Friday in Nashville, in response to reporters' questions about his occasional references to Ford's "family business."
Asked during the debate to elaborate, the Republican candidate said, "I
think it's evident there's been a Ford in this (9th District congressional district) seat for 32 years, and if you look at the number of Fords that are on the ballot -- especially I think the most recent one, I know it concerns a lot of people right here in Memphis. We had a Ford running for Congress on the Democratic primary ballot; they lost and now there's a Ford on the independent ticket just to ensure that a Ford is in this seat."
Ford's cousin, Joe Ford Jr., lost the Democratic primary for Ford's congressional seat in August. The congressman's brother, Jake Ford, is an independent candidate for the seat on the Nov. 7 ballot.
"I think that's something that's unusual," Corker continued. "It doesn't take place in most cities around Tennessee. That's the only thing I'm trying to say. It's something that has been written about for over a decade right here in Shelby County and across the state, and I think it's worthy of bringing up."
Ford retorted: "I don't know why Mr. Corker keeps bringing up my family. Let me be clear: I love 'em and there's nothing you can say, Mr. Corker, that will bring any distance between my family and I ... It's you and I running for the Senate. It's our ideas, our plans to make the future better for everybody. Let's stick to you and I. And if you come up with a recipe to pick family, say it. Otherwise be quiet and let's run for the Senate."
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