During a U.S. Senate campaign stop here Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr., D-Tenn., praised the faith-based services of Chattanooga’s Inner-City Ministries.Rep. Ford said that while he values the separation of church and state, he also believes in supporting organizations that improve communities.
"I’m not afraid of those organizations that have a little bit of a faith component," he said.
Rep. Ford toured the organization’s Roanoke Avenue facility, meeting with staff and children.
Bob Davis, chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, said the Chattanooga stop could have been an attempt to defuse last week’s criticism from Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman while he was visiting the Scenic City. "It’s campaign season. It’s no surprise that (Rep. Ford is) making visits like that," Mr. Davis said. "Maybe his little visit there today is just another attempt to try to convince people in that neck of the woods that he’s different from how he’s voted."
Rep. Ford defended himself during a Monday conference call after Mr. Mehlman said the Memphis congressman has a 100 percent voting record with an abortion rights organization. Rep. Ford said that is untrue.
Rep. Ford had a 60 percent voting record with NARAL Pro-Choice America in 2005. In 2003, he had a 30 percent voting record, while in 2004 he had a 100 percent voting record, according to the organization.
Responding to Mr. Davis’ comments, Michael Powell, senior adviser to the Ford campaign, said Rep. Ford "was in Chattanooga today to lend his support to faith-based programs, an issue that he cares deeply about."
He said Rep. Ford has been here several times during the campaign, "and he’ll be back to Chattanooga many times more before the election."
Rep. Ford is running against state Sen. RosalindRosalind Kurita,Kurita D-Clarksville,, inD the- Clarksville DClarksville, in the Democratic primary to replace U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist,R-Tenn.,, who has said he will not run for re-election.
Former U.S. Reps. Ed Bryant and Van Hilleary, both R-Tenn.; former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker; and Lakeland, Tenn., resident Jeff Moder are running in the Republican primary.
The primary elections are on Aug. 3, and the general election is Nov. 7.
Article Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press
