Simple question for those telling Ford to STFU

[wndycty]

How many of you live in Tennessee?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. So when Jesse Helms said BC better not come to Carolina that was good?

[tx_dem41]

5. So....we'll put you down as "Not living in Tennessee". n/t

[still_one]

6. helms is a racist pig

strom thruman is a racist pig, and the media gave them much more respect then they were ever due

[wndycty]

9. LOL

Is saying he won't campaign with Dean in TN the same as Helms threatening Clinton. Additionally, if Dean is unpopular in TN why would Ford want to campaign with him? If Dean would be used by the TN GOP to defeat Ford, should Ford still campaign with him?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

11. Is Dean unpopular in TN?

[wndycty]

15. That is a question I am asking as well. . .

. . .should Ford embrace Dean if he is a liability in TN? Its a true and honest question.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. Embracing Dean and telling him to stay out of TN are two different

things. I imagine progressive people in TN are sick of Ford...if you can't get people OUT to vote, what good are you?

[salin]

21. echoed below - big difference between distancing

ala "he doesn't speak for me..." or "I wouldn't state things that way." Versus a serious slap and working to create an us/them wedge within the party. I really am discouraged to watch democrats try the old republican "create wedges" tactics. It is the opposite of a big tent approach - it is an attempt to create a "good dem/bad dem" dichotomy. While folks on the ground might do this in conversation (or on message boards) it is bad when public figures does it - just divides us, makes us weaker, and gives ammo to the right.

[tnlefty]

70. Tell it NSMA!!! I'm sick of Ford and getting fed up with the idea

that this state doesn't deserve any better than repuke-lite democrats! We do deserve better and years ago we used to do better. I don't want anymore of this 'no distinction between the two' because it doesn't work here.

Oh, and STFU Ford.

[Clark2008]

49. As a candidate, yes he was (unpopular).

He had only 4 percent of the total.

However, he does have a solid base here and there are a number of outspoken Dems who like him.

But, I'm a bit confused.

What did Harold Ford Jr. say, exactly, and where can I read more about this?

[OzarkDem]

40. Yes

Someone with so little courage or integrity as to conduct his campaign according to GOP rules doesn't deserve re-election. Why should he care what the GOP thinks, isn't he a Dem?

[FreedomAngel82]

43. Well gee let me think about that

Maybe to help him become popular?! Duh! And do you have any recent poll numbers showing Dean isn't popular in Tennessee? As a Tennessee native I'd like to see that.

[still_one]

2. I am from California

Biden, STFU
Feinstein, STFU
Ford, STFU
Libermann, STFU

etc.
etc.
etc.

[slor]

3. Simple question for you...

why does it matter?

I honestly do want to know why it matters, and please do not suggest, that it is political expediency and he needs to do it to survive, politically. Dems need to, now more than ever, speak honestly, and show their support for the average American. You can see and hear it on the news, "Dems do not have a plan?" or "What are the Dems offering as a solution?", or my personal fav, "What do the Dems stand for?". We cannot afford to muddle any message, to appear right to some constituents, left to others. Get back to the populist roots, and stand strong. State the message, loud and clear: * works for the rich, We work for everyone else.
Those that do not see that, so clearly played out by the chimp's actions, are not going to vote for Dems anyway, so why cater to them.

[spanone]

4. I live in TN. I started thread.

[wndycty]

13. Thanks. . .

. . .next question, other than Ford how do TN Dems feel about Dean and do you think that the TN GOP will make Dean an issue if Ford campaigns with him?

[spanone]

19. I have no feedback on how TN Dems en masse feel about Dean.

The GOP will make an issue of Dean regardless of who campaigns with him. Our local paper has been of the opinion that Dean should 'tone it down'. The dems I know have been supportive of Dean, but I tend to preach to the choir because most of my acquaintances are dems. I admired Dean when he took on the war and I admire his candidness now.

[Lars39]

20. It wouldn't matter who campaigned with Ford, the repubs would

agitate against them. Many Tennesseans are getting fed up, even the 'religious'.
Dean is speaking truth that resonates with those ready to listen.

[FreedomAngel82]

44. And that means what??

Who gives a shit. I'm from Tennessee too. So what? Whooo!

[Don Claybrook]

7. I don't live in TN, and I don't care

Harold Ford, by the way, should shut the fuck up.

[Lars39]

8. I do.

He is a DLC New Democrat. I do not support New Democrats.

[wndycty]

14. Thanks for the feedback. . .

. . .and see the question I asked in #13?

[Individualist]

22. I'm also in TN,

and Ford is an ass.

[wndycty]

23. Thanks . . .

. . .this is simple research.

[still_one]

10. This has nothing to do with Tennessee

this has everything to do with standing for what is right

[wndycty]

24. It has everything to do with Tennessee

:kick:

[still_one]

32. I respectfully disagree

it has everything to do with Democrats sticking together

United we win, divided we fall, it is as simple as that, and jumping on the band wagon to critisize Dean shows how gutless some Democrats in Congress have become

[wndycty]

34. So given that logic. . .

. . .wouldn't the appropriate response of Dean and his backers be something like "despite the fact that Congressman Ford disagrees with Dr. Dean's statement, we fully support his candidacy for US Senator from Tennessee." As you said, its all about unity, right?

[still_one]

35. As long as we don't speak truth to power we will lose elections

What was so terrible about Dean saying that the Republicans are mostly a white "Christian" party, in other words, NOT particularly inclusive.

For 5 years many of the Democrats in Congress caved in to what the republicans wanted, and look where it got us. It is time we act like an opposition party. This country needs two parties that are different, NOT the same.

I think the citizens on either side would appreciate it.

Hey, it is almost to the point that it isn't going to matter. If we don't win in 2006, they will get their judges in, and we will be history for a long time

Good luck to all of us

[FreedomAngel82]

47. I don't

I don't support him as Senator. He's a DLCer and I don't like that. I'm NOT voting for him (see my signature).

[Clark2008]

54. But are you going to support him after he wins the primaries?

I know there's a lot of anti-Fordism on this board, but, I'm telling you - he WILL win the Dem primaries because no one's ever heard of Rosalinda.

My prediction: Ford vs. Bryant

[Zenlitened]

57. I don't think you're winning the logic game, here.

DUers weren't the one to crap all over the idea of unity -- Ford was.

:crazy:

[FreedomAngel82]

45. HAHAHA!!!

You're hilarious. It has to do with what HE SAID! Duh! I'm from Tennessee so what? Who gives a shit where he's from! Ford is a wimp ass. If he's not a real democrat then why is he a democrat. Because he lives in a blue area and that's how he'd get elected. Just like Joe Liberman. I bet you anything if Ford lived on my side of the state (eastern) he would be a republican.

[terrya]

12. Perhaps if Harold Ford has some problemw with what Dean said..

then maybe Representative Ford should address them privately to Dean...instead of running to the news media. Ditto the other congressional critics. This internecine warfare in the media is doing no one any good.

[still_one]

18. I remember when Dean said it would be a mistake to go into Iraq

They ridiculed him then and they are doing the same now, but in the end he was, and is right

For the last 5 and 1/2 years the dems have not stood for anything, and let the repugs run all over them. The "so-called" fillibuster deal was a sell out.

It is about time the Democrats act like a REAL opposition party!!!

[salin]

16. I posted on that thread - but not for a STFU

just my ongoing general impression - and lack of enthusiasm for viewing Ford as any kind of leader.

Per not being from Tennessee - I was referring to future leadership roles - and in that light - it is a more general Democratic party thing. There is distancing - and there is trying to do the wedgie thing for political opportunism. Once again I find Ford doing the latter rather than the former. Not productive for the bigger picture.

[ten fold]

25. I DO

HE'S BEEN A DINO FROM DAY ONE

[wndycty]

26. Thanks. . .

and congrats on your first post.

[Lars39]

27. Welcome to DU, ten fold!!!

:toast:
There's also a TN forum: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=179

[FreedomAngel82]

48. Exactly

Give us Rosalind Kurita for Senate!

[newyawker99]

72. Hi ten fold!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Guaranteed]

28. LOL Dean's already BEEN to Tennessee.

I wonder when the last time was that Ford was there.

[ldf]

29. no, i don't live in tennessee

but here's a concept.

just what if... the people of tennessee would love to support someone who tells the truth, and EXPLAINS why it is the truth, rather than respond with the "me too" and "i'm with you" bunch that couches all their responses in the arguments of hate that usually have them lined up at the polls.

if the people of tennessee aren't interested in the truth, and only want to perpetuate their own brand of prejudice, then maybe just getting the truth out there for them to think about may be good.

it is NOT up to the democratic party to supply another good-ol-boy politician that just perpetuates the rightness of the prejudiced.

and i label "prejudiced" anything which continues the comfort level of those who thrive on the wedge issues that divide the electorate based on intolerance and inequality.

after all, what would jesus do?

but then again, maybe that is what we are for. keeping power for the dlc, no matter how far we stray from the rightness of the democratic party's stands on basic issues.

and then again, maybe the tennesseeans are hungry, thirsty for a politician that doesn't insult them with platitudes and pats on the back, but instead offers insight and solutions to their everyday problems.

wow. how novel!

[Ms. Clio]

30. I wonder how many people in Tennessee know that Ford

participated in the crowning of Reverend Moon?

[FreedomAngel82]

50. Not me but now I do

All the more reason to support Rosalind Kurita.

[Clark2008]

55. Link?

Otherwise, it's rumor.

[Ms. Clio]

60. No, it's quite a well-known fact

http://www.hillnews.com/news/062204/moon.aspx

Lawmakers attend Moon ‘coronation’ in Dirksen

Coronations are not everyday occurrences on Capitol Hill — the Capitol being the people’s house, an indelible symbol of the republic, etc.

(snip)

The invitation for the event lists Davis, Weldon and Bartlett and Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Chris Cannon (R-Utah) and Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) as “Congressional Co-Chairs.” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Reps. Tom Davis (R-Va.) and Phil Crane (R-Ill.) and GOP consultant Charlie Black were listed as members of the “Host Committee.”


I'm sure it's all just a perfectly innocent misunderstanding, however.

[Clark2008]

61. Well, he's still going to be the Dem nominee to the Senate in

Tennessee, so I guess we'll have to decide to vote for either the conservative Dem or the fundie shithole.

In any case, you left this part out:

Mark Sherman, a spokesman for Ford, denied any association with Moon, saying, “If we were contacted it’s not clear that they represented themselves as being with Reverend Moon’s church.”

[tx_dem41]

66. Misunderstanding...maybe, since Ford didn't even attend the ...

..ceremony. And, nice way to leave out Ford's spokesman's rebuttal on him being listed on the invite:

"Mark Sherman, a spokesman for Ford, denied any association with Moon, saying, “If we were contacted it’s not clear that they represented themselves as being with Reverend Moon’s church.”

Let's at least paint the entire picture.

[wndycty]

67. Why let the facts get in the way of a good lie?

:kick:

[Ms. Clio]

69. Yes, indeed, every time a Congressman denies something

he is obviously to be believed.

It really stretches incredulity to believe that he or his staff never had any knowledge that he was listed as a Congressional Co-Chair for this event.

[Ms. Clio]

68. That's what he says; I think his rebuttal sounds very similar to this one:

Rep. Curt Weldon's office tenaciously denied that the Congressman was there, before being provided by The Gadflyer with a photo depicting Weldon at the event, found on Moon's website. "Apparently he was there, but we really had nothing to do with it," press secretary Angela Sowa finally conceded.

http://www.michaelhanscom.com/eclecticism/2004/06/rev_moon_crowne.html

[Lars39]

31. Why is Ford "on message" with Cheney?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050612/ap_on_el_ge/cheney_dean

[in_cog_ni_to]

33. Not me. I'm in Illinois.

;) :hi:

[leesa]

36. Oh, I see. You can only comment if they are YOUR representative

no matter how crappy they behave.

[wndycty]

38. That is not at all what I am saying. . .

. . .the reason I wanted to know who was actually in TN was to see what the mood was like in TN towards Ford, afterall that is the state that gets to vote for him.

[FreedomAngel82]

51. Yes it is

Why else were you making a big stink about people not being from Tennessee? Flipflop!

[wndycty]

56. All politics are local. . .

. . .I wanted to see if the venom against Ford on DU is representative of what is going on on the groud in TN.

[Clark2008]

62. It's not, wndycty

Most Dems I know in the real world are going to vote for Ford. They see him as having the most chance of beating any Republican the fundies put up.

This board is NOT indicative of what's really going on in Tennessee.


BTW, I'm in Knoxville, TN if anyone wants to know.

[wndycty]

63. Thanks. . .

. . .I'm planning on raising money here in Chicago for him. . .I guess DUers will label me a DINO.

[Clark2008]

65. I've got a website on Yahoo for him

and am in contact with him via email.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/haroldfordjr2006/

I am upset, too, with all the public Dean-bashing as he IS the head of the party, but, realistically, I know that Ford has the best chance of any Democrat in Tennessee (besides Bredesen) right now.

And, I'm no DINO - I'm just realistic. :D

[tnlefty]

71. Wow, and I come into contact with people who won't vote for him.

The people holding fundraisers for him in my area are wealthy, ou-of-touch with reality dems and don't have a clue as to how the "base" is reacting to him.

[stickdog]

37. Simple questions for those backing Ford

Do you support the Democratic Party?

If so, what are you smoking?

[wndycty]

39. If he can help turn a red state blue. . .

. . .hell yeah. No shame in my game. We can run a pure liberal and lose or we can run a moderate and win. All politics are local. Sometimes I wonder if the the people on the internets (grin) get that.

[tkmorris]

41. That's fine

but that isn't what is happening here. If Ford cannot due to political expediency openly praise Dean to all who will listen, well, that's ok. I don't prefer it but it happens.

All he has to do is not talk about Dean. Republicans know this, and they act accordingly. When Hastert sticks his foot in his craw other Republicans simply say that Hastert speaks for himself and they did not hear it firsthand so they can't comment yada yada yada. In other words they do not EVER break ranks.

If Ford is what it takes to keep that seat blue, then fine. But he needs to keep his trap shut when it comes to more liberal members of the Democratic Party.

[wndycty]

46. Did he issue a statement. . .

. . .or do you think he was asked?

[FreedomAngel82]

53. He was on Ed Schultz!!!

Ford was on Ed Schultz openly bashing Dean for what he said WAS TRUE about the GOP. Did you miss the poll CNN had where 84% of the people who voted AGREED with Dean? Why do people like Ford continue to go the opposite direction of what the POLLS said? I have yet seen ONE poll since this last "election" that sided with the republicans but instead sided with the democrats. So why the hell is Ford going the other direction? He's a dino who needs to STAY OUT of the Senate.

[FreedomAngel82]

52. Support a REAL democrat

No more dino's!!! Get a real democrat and support them! Phil Bredesen, the governor, is a moderate but he's more of a democrat then Harold Ford! I fully support Governor Bredesen but NOT Harold Ford! He's not getting my vote. Check out Rosalind Kurita! She's the real deal!

[Huckebein the Raven]

58. Could you point in the direction of info on Rosalind Kurita ?

I live in Ford's district and I'm checking out alternatives to Ford in '06

Thanks

:)

[wndycty]

59. Here is a link to some info I found.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3841554

[Clark2008]

64. Smoking enough of a substance to know that Kurita won't beat

Ford in the primaries on name-recognition alone... and to know I'd rather have Ford, a Dem I agree with most of the time, rather than Fundie No. 567, someone I'd agree with NONE of the time.

[FreedomAngel82]

42. I Do!

And I'm not really a fan. I think Dean is great and he's telling the truth. Ford can personally kiss my ass. Rosalind Kurtia is my choice of 2006.