Harold Ford Jr's Has An Almost Impossible Road to Travel
In early September, Harold Ford Jr. decided to go to a coffee discussion sponsored by Democracy for Nashville. I was surprised to hear that he went to this since he backed out of an appearance at the Democracy for Tennessee Convention in July. Attending this coffee also seemed risky for Ford. He must have known it would have been a hostile crowd. He wisely required that the coffee not be taped. Good thing he did because a person who attended said Ford “got stomped.”
A couple months ago, I said that Ford is a paper tiger. He never had to fight in a campaign with his back to the wall. With the Zogby poll from last week showing him trailing Bryant 51-40, we know he is in a tough spot. During a election when democrats are expected to make big possible gains in both Houses of Congress, one of the “future stars of the party” is going to get beaten handily. From the descriptions of what happened at the coffee, Ford seems to be buckling under the pressure.
During the coffee, Ford took questions from the attendees. They asked very pointed questions about the bankruptcy bill, Schiavo, his failure to vote on the budget rather than miss the coon dinner, and other issues. Apparently during the questioning, something snapped in Ford’s head. Maybe he realized that these were democratic activists who, no matter what he would do, will not support him and he doesn’t have a chance of winning without them. Ford became agitated by the questions, snapping at the audience and dismissing their views. He raised his voice several times. Afterwards, attendees described Ford as coming “unglued.” To add insult to injury, Rosiland Kurita appeared at coffee hosted by Democracy for Nashville three weeks later. She was smooth as could be and did well.
What is amazing is that Tennessee Waltz is being used in a time of Republican corruption and cronyism in this very state as a platform for Republicans to run on. Ed Bryant has received money from Delay’s patronage machine and Bill Frist is most likely an insider trader. What makes this interesting is that Bryant doesn’t have much money, Corker has sucked up huge amounts of money, but Bryant is buying loyalty of Tennessee Republicans by giving them the Tennessee Waltz platform. He is directing an attack on Harold Ford Jr. through the District 29 election. By claiming election improprieties and getting Richard Fields to give a veneer of bipartisanship, Bryant can keep the discussion on Tennessee Waltz, corrupt democrats, and muddling of Harold Ford Jr. with John Ford. Forget the fact that Tennessee Waltz is a bipartisan scandal; it’s now all democrats and all Fords all the time.
posted by polar donkey at 10:21 AM
9 Comments:
Can this be a coincidence? Everywhere this Harold Jr.. debacle has been blogged about (and that's at least fourt major places so far! — all crediting Polar Donkey), spam like that of "Mary Morgan" has been posted in response.
3:06 PM
Where's Chris Jackson and his hero-worshiping explaination of why Ford lost it?
Corruption is the disease, accountability is the antedote...
6:28 PM
What a liar. I was actually at the coffee that day and Harold Ford answered every question asked to him in a very informative and respectful way. People need to understand that you are not going to agree with every decision a leader makes. You have to look at the overall picture.
I know some of people want an ultra-liberal candidate here in Tennessee, but that isn't going to happen. A candidate like that can't win here. Harold Ford is the ideal candidate. He can transcend political lines and move people with his charisma. He answers real problems with real solutions, and that what sets him apart from everyone else. People love that in a candidate.
You can attack and mislead people all you want, but the truth is, Harold Ford Jr. is a man on the move: http://haroldfordjr2006.blogspot.com/2005/10/junior-has-big-mo.html
8:52 PM
Mr. Jackson, at least you don't disappoint. Which is more than I can say about how you will feel when this is all over. If Harold doesn't hire you to replace his current press secretary, he needs his head examined. Your loyalty to him deserves that much, and I mean that in the most complimentary way.
Now, in discussing how Mr. Ford was received at that coffee, I'm assuming you were there. I, too, have been in Mr. Ford's presence when he's done the same thing he's being accused of on the blogs now. I understand you want to defend him and that is your right. However, leaving out what's being reported on the blogs, I will leave you with this question:
CAN YOUR 'BOSS' JUSTIFY HIS VOTES ON THE FOLLOWING LEGISLATION:
Bankruptcy bill
Energy Bill
Estate Tax Repeal
School Vouchers (support for, since nothing's been voted on)
Failing to co-sponsor legislation that would provide universal healthcare for all
Gang Deterrance Act
Watt Amendment to the Federal Budget
Social Security Privitization.
Were those the questions being asked of him at that coffee? Because from where I sit (in DC, now)he wasn't around during CBC Legislative Weekend, where he had the best opportunity to explain himself and his positions on those votes. Not to mention that it was on these pieces of legislation where he got the following failing grade on the CBC Monitor's Report Card, issued that same weekend: http://www.cbcmonitor.voxunion.com
I doubt very seriously that Jackson Baker would risk a lawsuit catching Mr. Ford saying something he says he didn't. Tape recorders don't lie, and I don't see any motivation Mr. Baker has in setting up the Congressman.
I like the fact that at your age, you are taking a keen interest in politics. Harold Ford should be an "enlightening" mentor for you. I hope he appreciates the lengths to which you will defend him, even in the face of hard, factual, irrefutable evidence that says you may want to think twice about hitching your wagon to someone who's 15 minutes are up. Just a thought.
9:10 PM
Thanks for the comments. But that case that you gave about the coffee was certainly not accurate.
No one will ever agree 100% of the time with their leaders actions.
To write off a candidate because of a few votes is just silly. Congressman Ford is working hard to bring real progress to Tennessee. He is willing to transcend political lines to get things done for the good of our state and nation. That is the true test of a leader.
Congressman Ford is one of those once in a generation candidates. John F. Kennedy, Al Gore, etc. They all have a mixture of brilliance, charisma, and determination. We as citizens of this state need to seize this moment in history and elevate this great man to the U.S. Senate so he can provide the type of leadership Tennesseans deserve.
There is a need for a shakeup in government and Congressman Ford represents that change.
He believes in the basic belief that government should work for everyone, not just a select few. While in the House he has backed that belief up with action and will continue to when he is elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006.
Thank you.
10:04 PM
Mr. Jackson, I listed those "few" votes you blow off regarding Mr. Ford's voting record for the sole purpose of having you or him defend them.
Your failure to do so, can't even rank Ford as the next coming of JFK, FDR, or JFK's brother, a sitting member of the U. S. Senate.
Those "few" votes will egregiously impact the very district Congressman Ford represents and if he's going to vote that way as a Congressman, why should the entire state of Tennessee entrust him to represent their interests in the Senate?
I hope you never have to file a bankruptcy - Ford's vote just told you to expect a stint in debtor's prison.
I hope you never have to need a doctor and you don't have healthcare coverage, because Ford's failure to co-sponsor on Conyer's legislation says he doesn't give a damn about you being able to see a doctor when you want.
You're a young African-American man. His vote on that Gang Deterrance Act means they will be building more jails to house young Black men like you because you will automatically be assumed to be a "gang-member". You prefer "Crips" or "Bloods"?
You have an estate where repealing of the estate tax is going to benefit you in the near future?
Did you obtain your education in public schools? Cause Harold Ford is saying public schools should be privatized (and I double-dog dare him to explain his position to make his support for school vouchers palitable to even ME!)
Yes, Mr. Ford is a charismatic, and attractive man, but guess what? Charm and good looks get you only so far, especially if it's covering up BS. People want a politician who says what he means; means what he says, and is willing to stand for something, even if it means he stands alone. He is principled, disciplined, caring, compassionate, considerate and has concern for those who don't have what he has - so much to the point he wants them to get what he has and not be jealous about it.
You know what made the Kennedys respected? Because, despite their wealth, they were taught that to give of themselves in public service was the highest calling they could have on their lives. Can you honestly say that about the Fords? My understanding is both Harold, Sr. and John Ford, while they got paid, to a certain extent, they saw to it that their constituencies were looked after as well. While Harold, Jr. may provide good constituent services, voting on legislation that will harm an already poor district is not representing best interests - it is a dereliction of duty.
Some more for you to think about; I hope you will allow me to engage you in hard-core political discussion, because good looks fade and charm gets old, but a person who is the real deal will always be respected and admired for what he brings on the inside.
10:48 AM
To write off a candidate because of a few votes is just silly.
Um... Looks to me like, on every issue that's mattered to me, Harold's voted exactly opposite from the way I wanted him to vote.
And for this he expects me to reward him?
Screw him. I'd rather not vote than vote for him, given his voting record. I hope he heads back home after the election, and gets a real job for a few years. Then maybe he'll learn what some of his constituents are going through.
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