Ford Calls for Kerry to Apologize

The war of words between Sen. John Kerry and the White House continues to escalate.

U.S. Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. joins others who call for Kerry to apologize for his remarks about the military.

While campaigning for Democrats in California on Monday, Kerry told a group of students: "You know education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. And if you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

Kerry said his comment was a botched joke not aimed at soldiers but at President Bush and his policies concerning Iraq.

"Whatever the intent, Senator Kerry was wrong to say what he said," Ford said in a statement issued Wednesday morning. "He needs to apologize to our troops. However, Senator Kerry's words don't alter the fact that the stay-the-course strategy pursued by President Bush and supported by Bob Corker isn't working. We need a new direction in Iraq. I know how hard our troops work, and the sacrifices they make, for our freedoms."

Corker, the former Chattanooga mayor running in a Senate race against Ford, said Tuesday evening that he rejected Kerry's comments, according to Todd Womack, Corker's campaign communications director.

"As one of Kerry's strongest supporters in 2004, and having just taken Kerry's campaign money to prop up his faltering candidacy, he has an obligation to speak out," Womack said.

Ford was national co-chair of the John Kerry for President campaign in his presidential run in 2004.

At a campaign stop Monday, Bush said Kerry owed servicemen and women an apology.

"The men and women who serve in our Armed Forces are plenty smart and are plenty brave."