Harold, in the wings:Politics could someday see a very new President Ford

[Bombtrack]

http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/local_news/article/0,1426,MCA_437_2502887,00.htmlWASHINGTON -

A year after U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. received only 29 votes in an ill-timed race for House Democratic leader, his political star is rising faster than ever.

Ford, a telegenic talk show guest and a sought-after speaker and co-sponsor of legislation, is the presumed front-runner for the Democratic nomination for the next open Senate seat in Tennessee. Some even think he could be the nation's first African-American president.

<snip>

"If you could look into a crystal ball and say, over the next 25 years, who would be the first African-American president and all you knew is who is there now, you would have to say Harold Ford Jr. and Jesse Jackson Jr.," said Stephen Hess, a presidential scholar at the Brookings Institution...
-----

I think it's a very positive developement that that the new emerging
black democratic leaders will hopefully be respected black ELECTED ones without the baggage of activist/polarizers like Jesse Jackson Sr., Sharpton, and Louis Farrikahn

[grasswire]

1. okay if you like DINOS

.....and oppose the "messy" struggle for equality under the law and other democratic values.

[Bombtrack]

12. Why don't you show me a vote where he apposed "equity under the law"

Or fairness which I assume you meant.

[grasswire]

2. AND....

...I must strenuously object to the linking of Farakhan with Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. That's very offensive.

[thebigidea]

4. oh, but they're black - I guess they're "all the same"

[Bombtrack]

10. Yeah, that's it, I'm a racist

you nailed it. That's the second time in 2 days it's been implied that I'm a racist, for 2 completely seperate, but equally empty, reasons

[thebigidea]

15. Oh, you're not a racist at all. Those three MUST be all the same.

[Bombtrack]

25. no

do you ever make sense?

[Bombtrack]

9. How?

They all want to and proport to be black leaders, and have been successful at getting the media to reenforce that. Whether you think that one or 2 or all of them shouldn't be accepted by a large segment of the US to be associated with black leadership is a seperate issue.

I also care for Farrakahn (sp?) far less than I do for Sharpton and Jackson, but I don't think any of them should remain in that media annointed position of of the black leaders of america, when so many other people would be better at it, and do better for blacks because they are more respectable.

[montanacowboy]

3. He also leans

DLC and is not a liberal leaning fellow

[Kolesar]

5. Harold Ford was on Tavis Smiley/NPR this week

He was presenting his moderate positions; I think he was talking about the Iraq invasion and Howard Dean. When Ford criticizes the antiwar or leftist democrats, I just don't "get" anything from him that tells me that he "knows better". I don't feel like I am being led with confidence.

Does that make any sense?

[grok]

6. RIGHT ON!!

Ive seen him several times on CSPAN and talk pundit shows. He holds his own in ANY condition and against ANY host. He is a force to be reckonned with. It's a pity he is so young. We could use him now.

No way JJ jr. compares.

Grok

[IrateCitizen]

8. If you're referring to how quickly he can sell out...

then you're right, there is no way that JJ Jr. can compare.

But if you're actually talking about fighting on behalf of the people, then JJ Jr. blows Harold Ford out of the water.

[Bombtrack]

11. to whom exactly did he "sell out"?

I guess you're one of the many "real" democrats who believe that anyone to the right(according to one of many nifty scales from right wing and left wing groups) of say, Hillary Clinton(or is she too conservative?) should just drop out of the party so we can have a minority in the house and senate that will be about a third of it's size yet so much "purer".

[IrateCitizen]

14. No, I don't think that they should immediately drop out

But I think to hold up someone like Harold Ford as a politician who is fighting on behalf of the masses is a little misleading.

He's got a polished appearance and charisma, I'll give you that. But the guy is DLC all the way through to his core. And although he's the kind of guy who will win elections based on his "image" -- when he's in office he's not much different from a moderate Republican (if there even is such a thing anymore outside of Maine).

I'm not someone looking for purity, I'm just looking for a little progressive populism. Something that has come to be in rare supply these days.

[Bombtrack]

21. not according to the votes

he is not comparable in any parallel to moderate republicans
like Snowe, or Collins. 
      ACU(right-wng)_ADA(left-wng)_progressivepunch(left-wng)

Collins:  57            34                 29.97
Snowe  :  52            40                 31.96   
Ford   :  16            84                 79.56

[IrateCitizen]

7. Harold Ford vs. Jesse, Jr.? I'll take Jesse Jr. every time.

Harold can't hold a candle to Jesse Jr., except at the speed at which he can toe the Repuke-lite line.

He's an opportunist and grandstander. Jesse Jr. is a REAL man of the people, committed to improving the lives of people from ALL walks of life and encouraging civic involvement.

Harold Ford -- member of the DLC. Jesse Jackson, Jr. -- member of Progressive Majority and the House Progressive Caucus.

Enough said.

[Bombtrack]

16. So if you're not a member of the most left-wing QUARTER of the

DEMOCRATIC congressional population you are, according to you, a repuke-lite?

He is a sociable person, which is basically the meaning of your negative "grandstander" attack without the negative connotation.

I suppose you believe that Jesse Jackson Jr., with his inferior sociability and according to you, superior, but hard-left voting record, could beat Zach Wamp in the 06 senate race, which Ford intends to do?

[Nazgul35]

13. Alot of people like to slam Ford...

because he's too conservative for some purists within the party....

One thing is....is that he represents the interests of his constituency...and I thought everyone here was all for representative democracy....

See the problem is folks, that in order to become the majority party, we need to include district that are more competitive, hence more moderate than the rank and file...

What matters is that they vote for the person that has a "D" after their name for any committe chair and the speaker position....that is where the real power lies in the US House....

So leave Rep. Ford alone...or at least learn what is really important in the managment of the House....after all....didn't Kucinich vote anit-abortion up till he decided to run for president....he was keeping to his constituency's position...

You have to allow democrats room to manuever during election time or we will lose everytime to the repugs....

Jackson comes from a complete different district than Ford does...and that is the difference between them...

[mitchtv]

17. you are right , he represents his district clearly

but not me .

[ibegurpard]

18. Fine...let him represent his constituents

But if he is aiming for LEADERSHIP then he is going to have to be able to appeal to people like me as well.

[Nazgul35]

19. let's wait and see if he can than....

remember...every Dem running for higher office faces these types of issues.....everyone....

Kennedy had to win the W.VA primary to convince the dem higherarchy that he could compete in the south....because he was catholic...

The same issue are going on in today's campaign....

We will see what Harold Ford and Jesse Jackson, JR. are capable of when they choose to run....i'd like to see Ford run as senator or governor...

What we should be talking about is the party's failure to secure minority and women candidates for high level offices, like Senate and Governor...as these are the traditional routes to the WH...until that happens, we are going to have to wait for a while....

[goobergunch]

20. Ratings and other info

Rep. Harold Ford (D-Memphis)

ADA Ratings: 2001 - 85, 2002 - 70
ACU Ratings: 2001 - 8, 2002 - 24
LCV Ratings: 2001 - 86, 2002 - 50

Major Cross-Votes: Yea on "Partial-Birth" Abortion Ban, Commercial Pilot Arming, IWR

http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/2004/people/tn/rep_tn09.htm

2004 Endorsement: Kerry

Going by the 2002 ratings, he represents his constituency but would not represent me as well...there are better choices out there.

[Bombtrack]

22. Do you live in Tennessee?

Because he isn't running for higher office for another 2 years, and it will be for Tennessee.

He has to think about those booming Nashville suburbs which he will have to do better in than other democrats ever have, particurly because he's black

[salin]

27. Two different things....

representing ones district and becoming key leadership for the entire party. Thus Ford may do a great job representing his district, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he would do a great job representing the party.

By the way, I do take a bit of an issue with the description of Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. "with his inferior sociability" according to post #16. Perhaps that is a description which fits 'with the eye of the beholder' rather than as a given fact. (eg with a disclaimer of... "imo"...)

[Bombtrack]

31. the nashville suburbs aren't part of his district

but they represent the main roadblock for him to beat Zach Wamp in 2 years for Bill Frists open seat. They lean heavily republican, and he would have no chance of splitting them if he were a progressive caucus-line voter

[salin]

33. apparently we agree

two different things - campaigning for a particular seat versus major role in party leadership. Not disagreeing with your assessment regarding his seat and a possible senatorial run. I just don't agree with your assessment per party leadership in the house at this point in time.

[Devil Dog Dem]

23. This guys is as bad as Holy Joe Lieberman

I hear him bashing Dems more than I do repugs.
If he is our future we are in even worse shape than I thought.

[Bombtrack]

24. Like when? When he ran for house leadership it was a positive campaign

He didn't attack Pelosi once. He just said he thought he would be a better face for the future of the party. He didn't say "I could be a better face than an old, inarticulate career politician who represents 'San Friggin Fransisco'.

[salin]

28. Interesting way to describe Minority Leader Pelosi.

I do remember him leveling some criticism, and becoming the target of criticism himself due to said criticism. Didn't realize that the only criticism that would count as criticism would be along the lines of the phrase that you typed.

[Bombtrack]

32. That isn't the only thing that could count as critism

but the post I was responding to ,saying, that all he does is bash dems is false, and that his attepmt at house leader illustrates that he isn't a pariah or a bombthrower, but pretty much cordial across the board and seeks to advance the democratic party agenda

[salin]

34. he had some pretty cagey words, at the time, if I recall correctly

it wasn't quite as polite and positive as you portray it. It had that Lieberman tsk-tsking to the rest of the party tone to it. Not a bomb thrower. But not a saint - on this particular count - either.

[Bombtrack]

39. it seems to alot of people here, moderates aren't aloud to critisize libs

but vice versa is just fine

[Bombtrack]

26. bump

.

[Bombtrack]

52. .

pmub

[revcarol]

29. He's not as bad as Breaux

but very poor at representing any part of the party except the DLC, IMHO.I've watched him a lot on C-Span and with sound-bites on TV. The newscasters call on him as a pundit when they want a right-wing Dem because they have to show "both sides."

I fear for the party if he is the best we have to offer for future leadership.

I would rather have John Kleeb!!

[JohnKleeb]

30. wtf lol

:hi:
If you all think DK is unelectable, then I must be superunelectable and also I must add I won't be running for any office, anytime soon. Now if Mr. Scrooge would give my dad some money :D, I could get a charisma transplant :D. Ive heard Ford mentioned as a rising star, seems a little too moderate for my personal liking but maybe he will change.

[TheDonkey]

40. After we have 2 great terms of a Dem pres. this time up, I want Ford!

woops!

[grasswire]

35. geez

I suppose MLK's "inferior sociability" was offensive to some Democrats, too.

I spose Jesus Christ was socially inferior, too.

I don't see how "inferior" sociability makes progress for those who canot speak for themselves in the arena of civil liberties, human rights, democratic values. I find the characterization exceedingly repugnant.

[Bombtrack]

36. I said that he was more sociable in defense of the grandstander attack

because that's what grandstander basically means, without the negative connotation.

He called Ford a grandstander and an opportunist, and I was asking him who would make a better candidate for the OPPORTUNITY of Bill Frists open senate seat, someone with Fords personality and voting record or someone with Jacksons personality and voting record.

[pasadenaboy]

37. Harold Ford is a whore

He's always on TV complaining that the democratic party is too liberal. I wish he would spend some of his time criticizing republicans. He's another Iraq War/Patriot Act/Bush Tax Cut loving DINO. On any important issue (except Clinton, which I don't remember) he votes republican. Remember He and Dick Gephardt were smiling with W in the Rose Garden to celebrate unnecessarily launching the country into the Iraq war.


From Salon.com

The Tennessee Democrat was not as coy about his criticism of Pelosi, calling her "a throwback" and characterizing her style as one of "destructive opposition. We need leadership that is constructive, and not destructive and obstructive," he said. Ford sounded a bit like Ross Perot in 1992 Friday, touting his candidacy as the true avatar of change. He offered himself as "something new and different," a break with "the same old ways of the past," without delving into specific ways in which his leadership would be different than Pelosi's. "My caucus needs change, and I don't think Nancy Pelosi represents change," Ford said. Ford's harsh words could be the script for Republican attack ads against Pelosi if she defeats her upstart challenger. But that could alienate even moderate Democrats.

[Bombtrack]

38. no he isn't

he's not a whore for anyone or anything. He supported the war, and isn't afraid to say that to democrats, that's why alot of anti-war-obsessed liberals don't like him. He's solidy with the democratic mainstream (and sometimes dem left) on most issues like eduction, taxation and the environment, yet has also touted bipartisan comprimises on others
--
and you might want to correct your LIE that he supports Bush tax cuts:
((2003))
Tax Reductions - Passage

Bill Number: HR 2
Issue: Budget, Spending and Taxes
Date: 05/09/2003
Sponsor: Bill sponsored by Castle, R-DE

Representative Harold E. Ford voted NO.

Vote to pass a bill that would make available $550 billion in tax breaks over 11 years.

((2002))
Permanent Tax Cut



Bill Number: HR 586
Issue: Budget, Spending and Taxes
Date: 04/18/2002
Sponsor: Bill sponsored by Rep Lewis, R-KY


Roll Call Number: 0103
Passed by a vote of 229-198: R 219-1; D 9-196; I 1-1
Full Member List


Representative Harold E. Ford voted NO.

Vote to pass a bill that would permanently extend the cuts in last year's $1.35 trillion tax reduction package, many of which are set to expire in 2010.

HR586 Permanent Tax Cut

Vote to pass a bill that would permanently extend the cuts in last year's $1.35 trillion tax reduction package, many of which are set to expire in 2010. It would extend relief of the marriage penalty, reductions in income tax rates, doubling of the child tax credit, elimination of the estate tax, and the expansion of pension and education provisions. The bill also would revise a variety of Internal Revenue Service tax provisions, including interest, and penalty collection provisions. The penalties would change for the failure to pay estimated taxes; waive minor, first-time error penalties; exclude interest on unintentional overpayments from taxable income; and allow the IRS greater discretion in the disciplining of employees who have violated policies.
(Bill sponsored by Rep Lewis, R-KY)
Passed by a vote of 229-198: R 219-1; D 9-196; I 1-1

Bill Number: HR 586-107th Congress (2001-2002)
House Passage Vote:05/15/2001-Outcome:Passed
Senate Passage Vote:02/06/2002-Outcome:Passed

((2001))

Tax Cut Package-Passage



Bill Number: HR 1836
Issue: Budget, Spending and Taxes
Date: 05/16/2001
Sponsor: Bill sponsored by Thomas, R-CA


Roll Call Number: 0118
Bill passed
Full Member List


Representative Harold E. Ford voted NO.

Vote to pass a bill that would cut all income tax rates and make other tax cuts of $958.2 billion over 10 years.

HR 1836 Economic Growth and Tax Relief reconciliation Act

Vote to pass a bill that would cut all income tax rates and make other tax cuts of $958.2 billion over 10 years. The bill would convert the five existing tax rate brackets, which range from 15 to 39.6 percent, to a system of four brackets with rates of 10, 15, 25, and 33 percent.
(Bill sponsored by Thomas, R-CA)
Bill passed 230-197: R 216-0; D 13-196; I 1-1 on 05/16/01.

Bill Number: HR 1836-107th Congress (2001-2002)
House Passage Vote: 05/16/2001-Outcome:Passed
Senate Passage Vote: 05/23/2001-Outcome:Passed
House Conference Report Vote:05/26/2001-Outcome:Passed
Senate Conference Report Vote: 05/26/2001-Outcome:Passed
Presidential Action: Signed on 06/07/2001

[TheDonkey]

41. After this upcoming 2 term Democrat, I want to see a Pres. Ford

Yes, he's moderate, DINO, DLC whatever you want to call but he could make an excellent president.

For one it's about time America has elected a black president and I think Ford can appeal to all races and many southerners. He's definetly not as bad as some are making him out too.

Ford is also supporting Kerry for president and JK is definetly not right wing.

[Bombtrack]

42. agreed

.

[AP]

43. Christopher Shea said that Ford would be president someday on CSPAN and...

...got hell from the RW.

[Bombtrack]

44. who?

don't know who that is

[AP]

46. He's a Republican congresspereson from CT.

[Bombtrack]

47. you mean chris shays

I wonder if he'll run against Dodd in 04, or Lieberman in 06

[AP]

51. Oops. yes.

[JNelson6563]

45. I don't know a great deal about HF

I know I wanted Pelosi over him as leader at the time but that was a sort of discrimination on my part. I wanted an older, more grizzled veteran on the watch and HF is young.

Regardless of your views on him, catch him sometime on TV. I've caught him briefly on Crossfire (or something like that) against an R and he did very well.

I do see a very bright future for him. I hope he makes good choices on this path. That will play a big part of him realizing his potential.

Julie

[Tinoire]

48. Yeah right, Harold Ford, DLC, freepers dream Democrat

think it's a very positive developement that that the new emerging
black democratic leaders will hopefully be respected black ELECTED ones without the baggage of activist/polarizers like Jesse Jackson Sr., Sharpton, and Louis Farrikahn ((Make that Farrakhan please))

What an offensive statement! Respected by whom? By White people? White Conservatives? Conservatives period? Jeez.

====
Just last week we tombstoned a freeper making a similar point when he was able to take a little time away from bashing most Dems and post these glowing words about Ford:

Can't we have more reasonable black leaders? Where's that young black Democrat from Maryland (Ford is it?).

Next post:

That's right! Tennesee! Thanks!

He's great! Totally level headed, loves the country...supported the war until the WMDs didn't materialize and he spoke out fairly against it.

He's not one to play the race-card. But works to improve conditions in the black communitee through education and training...not through racial extortion.

This Black person says :puke:

[JI7]

49. yes harold ford will be president

he would be a good vp choice for 2004 but he isn't old enough. i would like to see him run for the senate, then i can see him run straight for president after that one day.

[tabasco]

50. Harold Ford kicks ass !

I've seen him giving republicans hell a couple times and he looks like a fighter.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

53. A DLC DINO who said Nancy Pelosi was "too liberal"

Just what we need, another rightwing Democrat.

[Bombtrack]

54. So what is your point exactly?

should he not run for senate in 2 years? Or if you are implying we don't him, should he retire from the house?

I somehow doubt you can find a quote where he says that Pelosi is "too liberal".