Ford goes on the offensive on Gas Prices

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http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/election/article/0,1406,KNS_630_4924852,00.html

Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Harold Ford Jr. attacked his opponent's ties to the oil industry at a Thursday morning press conference in West Knoxville.

From a sidewalk in front of a Pilot Oil station on North Cedar Bluff Road, Ford also challenged Republican candidate Bob Corker to produce his full tax returns and show a willingness to take part in public debates.

"I'll meet him wherever he wants, any time he wants," Ford said, even if that means the debate would take place at "that beautiful mansion of his."

Ford also alleged that Corker, a multimillionaire businessman and former Chattanooga mayor, apparently believes that voters aren't smart enough to understand his tax returns.

"I tend to disagree," Ford said. "I think Tennesseans are pretty doggone smart."

Corker's tax returns were also an issue during the Republican primary race. Corker said earlier this week that he will consider providing some additional details of his taxes, though he said he has misgivings.

"Bob Corker takes very seriously his responsibility to provide voters with information regarding his personal finances," Corker campaign spokeswoman Alexia Poe said Thursday. "That's why he has filed on time his Personal Financial Disclosure statement with the secretary of the Senate and made available for review by the media the first two pages of his tax return dating back all the way to 1976."

Through Poe, Corker also said he intends to debate Ford as the race unfolds.

"Congressman Ford is clearly very anxious to begin defending his 10 years of Washington experience," Corker said. "In the primary, I participated in multiple media debates and look forward to debating again in this general election with Congressman Ford."

Ford, a U.S. Congressman from Memphis, arrived at Thursday's press conference in a large pickup truck powered by biodiesel fuel and described America's dependence on oil as a national security issue.

As Ford spoke, he stood near a Corker yard sign placed in front of the Pilot station. Corker's finance chairman is Jimmy Haslam, president and CEO of Pilot Corp., who was also once his roommate in college.

According to Ford, Americans' dependence on oil helps support nations that back terrorism, especially Iran. He said that Corker's ties to the oil industry raise questions about his ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of the country and stated that Corker has taken more campaign contributions from oil and gas interests than any other Senate challenger.

"Do you trust him (Corker) to lower gas prices, or do you trust me and a new generation of leaders in Washington?" Ford asked.

Ford also said he supports a tough policy on illegal immigration and accused Corker of being dishonest about his employing illegal workers in the past. He also said that America's borders should be tightly controlled to preserve national security, citing the ease with which explosives could be smuggled into the country.