Contact: Ermias Alemayehu, BOND, 323-782-1980, 213-804-1872

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 27 /Standard Newswire/ -- Conservative black minister Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson today weighed in on the controversial television ad which has liberal Democrats screaming “racist.” The commercial,  which has stirred up liberals, depicts a seductive blonde woman telling viewers she partied with U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Harold Ford, Jr, (D-Tenn.) at a Playboy bash—shattering the churchgoing image Ford has been playing up to Tennessee voters. Democrats succeeded in pressuring the RNC (Republican National Committee) to pull the ad from the airwaves yesterday.

Rev. Peterson said, “There’s nothing remotely racist about this ad; only racist liberals would make such a leap. Ford has cloaked himself as a religious conservative in his race. This is an example of the double standard liberal Democrats have when it comes to mixing religion and politics. Why is it racist for Republicans to point out Ford’s hypocrisy?”

The Ford campaign is now calling for a second ad to be pulled. This ad questions the five-term Democratic congressman’s record on abortion and gay marriage. Harold Ford has painted himself as a “different kind of Democrat” which some see as an attempt to distance himself from his notorious political family. Two of Ford’s uncles resigned from elected office due to charges of bribery and fraud; his father was also charged, but was later acquitted.

“It was a sign of weakness by the RNC to pull the first ad—they shouldn’t make the same mistake twice. Ford is using religion for political gain, so it’s fair game to point out his double life,” said Rev. Peterson.

Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson is the founder and president of BOND (Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny) a national nonprofit organization dedicated to “rebuilding the family by rebuilding the man.” Rev. Peterson has recently embarked on a nationwide “Moral Reconstruction Speaking Tour.” To have Rev. Peterson speak to your group call (323) 782-1980.