* I told you yesterday that Republican Congresman Joe Walsh was furious with a new TV ad by Tammy Duckworth which brings up his back child support issues...

“For Tammy Duckworth to bring up this private family matter that was resolved and dismissed is nothing short of graceless. It shows how desperate her campaign has become since polls have shown me ahead and it represents the worst in our political system. Ms. Duckworth has demonstrated she will do and say anything to win this campaign.”

* Duckworth’s response…

Duckworth said [yesterday] that Walsh has attacked just about everyone in this district, whether it was Latinos, African Americans, women who want access to their contraception….He’s attacked me from everything from the clothes that I wear to my military service.”

“I think for him to now cry foul is very typical of a bully,” she said. “They bully other people and when you point out their own problems, then they cry foul.”

* Walsh is now planning to turn up the heat in what will surely be a high-profile press conference with his son. From a press release…

Congressman Walsh and his son Joe Walsh (speaking on behalf of his siblings) will hold a press conference today to respond to the recent attack ads on Congressman Walsh and his family currently being aired by the Duckworth Campaign.

WHAT: Joe Walsh press conference

WHO: Congressman Joe Walsh and Joe Walsh Jr.

WHEN: TODAY, October 23 - 2:30PM

WHERE: 55 West Monroe, 5th Floor Conference Room, Chicago, IL

This will get intense. Stay tuned.

*** UPDATE 1 *** This Walsh presser puts me in the mind of 1996. Democrat Terry Link was not given a chance in heck of winning a Senate seat that year. But then the Republicans blasted him for not paying child support. Link held a press conference with his ex-wife, who praised him up and down for being a great father.

Link won.

This could be a very dramatic turn of events, campers. Watch closely.

*** UPDATE 2 *** From a press release quoting Walsh’s son…

“Our Mom and Dad didn’t agree on everything, but even during the divorce they made it clear to us we were their top priority. After the divorce, they continued to do their best to provide for us financially and emotionally. Most of all, they both made us their priority during the public child support dispute last year by not discussing the case or us in public and this past April, they privately resolved their issues once again keeping us out of the news.”

Walsh Jr. continued, “We understand that politics is a rough business, but these ads are wrong and very hurtful to us. It’s wrong you’re saying these untrue things about our Dad. Please, Ms. Duckworth, try to win this campaign on the issues where you disagree with our Dad. But don’t attack him as a Father. He was and is a wonderful Father.”

“Please pull these TV ads. It’s just not right to be doing what you’re doing,” Walsh Jr. concluded.

The full letter from Walsh’s kids can be read by clicking here.