Ford (D - TN) campaign ad filmed in church

[jefferson_dem]

Ford campaign ad filmed in church
Corker turned off by setting that one political expert says is unusual choice

By BONNA de la CRUZ
Staff Writer

With a stained-glass window behind him, candidate Harold Ford Jr. strolls through the Memphis church where he was baptized to tell voters this is the place where he learned right from wrong.

Using a church sanctuary as the backdrop in his newest campaign commercial, the Democrat running for the U.S. Senate has picked an unusual setting. One expert on religion and politics said it was the first political ad he'd heard of actually filmed inside a sanctuary.

Not everyone is saying hallelujah. Those turned off by it include Ford's opponent, Republican Bob Corker, and a national religious liberty group.

Some say it was a smart move.

"Most Americans are religious people, and finding out about a candidate's faith and finding where his values came from would be appreciated," said John Green, a senior fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. He couldn't recall another campaign ad filmed in a church.

<SNIP>

http://www.ashlandcitytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060915/NEWS0206/609150410/1291/MTCN01

Watch the ad here --> http://www.hinessight.com/

[muntrv]

1. Message to Corker: God is non-partisan!!

[dsc]

2. Truth be known I am not happy with that setting

If I were the pastor of that church I would never have let him do that. The ad itself, I mean the text here, was actually quite effective, but the setting was not a good choice.

[Joe Bacon]

24. I see nothing wrong with it

It's about time a Democrat turned the tables on Falwell, Robertson, Crouch and their assorted ilk.

[sandnsea]

26. Church, school, family farm,

We all learned our values from somewhere. If this is where Harold feels like he learned his, good enough for him to say so. That's what we're supposed to do, worship freely and then bring the VALUES into the public arena, NOT the religious doctrine. The values of religion is judge not and love one another - the doctrine is the stuff written down in dusty books that will be argued until the end of time, which is why we don't make law based on doctrine.

[1932]

37. Ford is telling the truth about himself, and I don't see why he should

have to censor himself.

If people vote for him, they are, in fact, electing a democrat who learned right from wrong in that church.

[Deja Q]

3. Republicans whore religion all the time. Why can't Dems?

The line between church and state should be maintained, but if people want to relate with anyone they want to vote for -- more power to the candidates.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

14. Perhaps the word "whore" answers your question.

Lay down with whores and wake up with a rash. -RiF

[Drum]

4. I wonder how Mr./Dr/Reverend Barry Lynn

(of Americans United for Separation of Church and State) will see this? I enjoy hearing him when he is a guest on the news shows, and will be interested in hearing if he comments on this. I suspect I'll concur.

Personally I'm not for this fiming in the church (nor for depictions of churches, flags and eagles) for political ads. It's a Pandora's box opening, IMO.


http://www.au.org/site/PageServer

[Frances]

6. Hasn't Pandora's box already been opened by the Repubs?

My guess is that Ford belongs to the same church that most church-going people in Tenn. attend (Baptist). I think white Baptists are going to be much more comfortable voting for Ford after seeing this ad than before they saw it. White southerners need an excuse to vote for a black politician. This ad gives them that excuse.

[Drum]

8. So that's where we are now?

They use slanted divisive tactics, so we might as well too?

Ugh.

I just think that too much of politics has become coopted by churches, church people, and division. Faith used to be personal in this country, indeed that was a founding principle (I thought.) America has a secular government, and has endured so far...it even provides rights and sanctuary for those who do not attend a church.

Don't we all, as a larger community---Americans---deserve such an equality?

[Zynx]

10. Elections are not won by running squeaky clean and the truth does

not climb above the sea of lies by itself. Democracy has never been that way and it never will.

[Frances]

11. Why is this ad divisive?

[Drum]

12. I haven't seen the ad

nor am I commenting specifically on it...just sounding off that I think that it's stepping onto a slippery slope.

I don't want (my) citizenship tied to any church.

[Frances]

18. Why don't you watch the ad?

I don't believe in faith-based government programs at all. I think that a lot of Dems are saying that you can be religious and still believe in separation of church and state.

Ford's ad is good. He says that he came to church the old-fashioned way--he was made to come. Then he says that the church was good for him in that it taught him right from wrong. Ford says that his opponent is wrong and Ford explains why. Then he makes the case for himself in just a few words.

[WCGreen]

20. As long as the pastor didn't publically endorse him...

What's the big deal...

[Claire Beth]

39. I'm in TN....

and the message that Ford is using in the ad is to appeal to those who think God is Republican. He is NOT going to let Porker and the Repugs define what or who he is. What Ford did with his ad is a good thing (for Tennessee)...It is not intended to be a church/state separation issue...Though I would personally prefer a more liberal candidate, that ain't gonna happen in Tennessee and Ford has to do what it takes to win. I have met Harold Ford, Jr. and liked what he says and hope he can pull off a victory here in this state.

:dem:

[Ken Burch]

49. I don't think Barry would argue that political candidates have no right

to appear in churches(in fact, speeches in large black churches are a standard element in any Democratic campaign in a state with a large African American population, as are, I believe, appearances in Latino Catholic churches for both parties).

On the other hand, if Harold Ford were to say "if elected, I'll my local office will be in this very church", the Rev. Mr. Lynn might look askance...

[politicasista]

5. Screw Corker. Go Harold!

:kick:

[Rowdyboy]

22. Well put! I don't give a damn where Ford films commercials-Corker sucks

and deserves to be beaten like a drum.

[cry baby]

7. I'm in Tn. He needs to do whatever he needs to do to win here.

Very churchy people here...his advertising has been top notch and it's gaining him credibility around here.

This particular ad is very good and hits a home run. He is talking about right and wrong and Corker's attempts to lie about Ford's record. And he says it in an empty church. Very compelling stuff.

[Zynx]

9. Is God only Republican property?

What a pathetic god that would be if that were the case.

[BootinUp]

13. "He's using our tricks against me! What do I do uncle Karl?"

Waaaaaaa!

[RBInMaine]

15. Good! Fight the R's on their own damn ground!!

God and Jesus DO NOT BELONG TO THE REPUBLICANS!! Good for you Harold! About time! Like it or not, cultural issues DO matter, and if anything JESUS WAS A LIBERAL!! Hundreds of quotes in the Bible about helping the poor, peace, and unconditional love. NOT ONE WORD ABOUT ABORTION OR GAY MARRIAGE! There is no reason why Dems of faith can't talk about faith from our perspective. We need to be a big-tent party, and moderates like Harold MUST have a place at our national table. There are plenty of issues that ALL Dems can agree upon no matter what "wing" of the party you're on. Harold knows that he needs a lot of I's and even some R's to win that very winnable seat in Tennessee, and Harold is a hundred times better than his RePIGlican opponent! Good Harold, damn well keep it up. You know your local turf. Do what you know works where you are!

[davidinalameda]

28. Ford is no moderate

he's a DINO

[redstateblues]

32. In TN he's a Democrat as is Gov. Bredesen

I live in TN and if you think a Democrat who could pass an ideological purity test could get elected, you don't know anything about the politics here.

[davidinalameda]

45. I just wish my Democrats would actually act like them

[Hoosier Dem]

16. It's a good ad...

While I;m not comfortable using Chriches as props or sets, this ad has a great message. i especially likes how Ford slaps Corker for sliming his GOP opponents as well as himself.

I would have never thought that Ford had a shot at this seat, but I've been wrong before. I'll be watching this one closely!

[Straight Shooter]

17. I feel a bit of ambiguity about such an ad.

Having once lived in Tennessee, I can see the appeal. Since I haven't seen the ad, I can't really comment on it, but the separation of church and state is already fragile. Could he not have stood outside the church, with its doors open, and pointed to it with a semi-flourish wave of his hand?

If this is who Harold Ford truly is, though, then I'm not going to judge him for doing it. It will be interesting to watch the Repubs devise their own similar ads. Maybe Santorum will climb up on a cross or something.

[Auntie Bush]

58. Let's hope he does... "climb up on a cross" Who will

be the first one to volunteer to drive in the first nail?
Sorry, you lose...I'm already claiming his right hand.
But he has a few more extremities.

[Purveyor]

19. These days...you gotta do, what you gotta do...

"Beam me the fuck up"...please!

BTW, just when is Congressman Traficant due to be released for the petty crimes he was convicted of?

[rpannier]

21. Religion is not about Party affiliation

Unless you're a member of the American Taliban.

[Nevernose]

23. Intellectually? I'm opposed. Pragmatically? I'll be the camera man (n/t)

n/t

[Richard Steele]

40. That really sums up my feelings as well. nm

[Robb]

50. Second that thought

Well put.

[sandnsea]

25. That's a good ad

"I won't let them make me someone I'm not".

It's a damned sight better than sleezy flyers on car windows in church parking lots. I particularly like that he's addressing their smear campaigns. Everybody needs to send out that message this year, one way or another.

[Pastiche423]

27. I'm glad I don't live in TN

I belong strongly in seperation of church and state.

I am sick, sick, sick of this we are a xtian nation crap.

[NotGivingUp]

52. i was thinking about moving to tn in a couple of years...having

my doubts now.

[fasttense]

29. I saw the ad on TV and didn't even notice that it was in a church.

I saw the ad and thought he spoke well for himself. I never realized he was in a church, it just didn't register. I guess I'm so use to politicians using religion to get to the bible belt vote, it just no longer matters to me.

[robcon]

30. It has nothing to do with Church and state.

There has never been, and never will be, a legal separation between church and politics. Politicians have used churches, pulpits, and religious speeches to deliver their messages for more than 2 centuries.

There is absolutely NO REQUIREMENT for separation of church and politics, or church and politicians. Such a separation would trample free speech.

The only separation is between acts of the state, its representatives (public schools, etc.,) and religious activity.

What Ford did was fine.

[Uncle Joe]

44. I agree with your post robcon, and I

believe Harold Ford is running a smart campaign. In that same ad, he took Corker to task for trashing his two Republican primary opponents "two good men" as Harold referred to them, which I thought was a touch of brilliance.

Go Harold!

:kick:

[minnesota_liberal]

31. Corker doesn't like it. Cry me a river!

He's probably miffed that he didn't think of it first.

[1932]

36. Get thee to a nunnery, Bob Corker, and learn some morals and values.

[POAS]

33. I say Amen and Hallelujah

[kstewart33]

34. It's Tennessee. Smart move.

I grew up in Alabama, and learned that you cannot win elections without some involvement in religion. It's how the South works.

Glad he did it.

[nasher]

35. It is a good ad and will do well for him here.

[leesa]

38. I wonder if this might hurt our fight to keep the GOP out of churches.

Now they can point ot this and use it as a "they do it too". It's not quite the same I know, but it's close.

[Drum]

48. in for a penny, in for a pound n/t

[KingFlorez]

41. Nothing wrong with that at all

Democrats in the past have reached out to churches. It shows the GOP that they don't own religion.

[CrazyForKucinich]

42. This guy if elected is going to be a DINO.

He might even help set us back 50 years.

[fujiyama]

46. And Corker will move us forward?

Do you have a suggestion for a candidate other than Ford that has a chance of keeping the seat away from the republicans?

Yeah, just as I figured...You don't.

[Zynx]

56. Because we all know a liberal can be elected in TN.

/sarcasm

[VegasWolf]

43. Brace yourself, now every politician will rush to emulate. We may have

more churches on TV during election season than Falwell ever dreamed of in his wettest dream. Good windfall for the churches, they can charge for all the camera crews and cabling all over their premises.

[fujiyama]

47. Don't especially care for Ford

and religious pandering either, but this is Tennessee we're talking about. And repukes whining about Dems using religion in politics are full of shit.

I hope Ford wins. Dems need to win as many seats as possible.

[NotGivingUp]

51. i think i'm gonna puke. n/t

[Tippy]

53. Republicans are mad because they did't think of it first....

Republicans I have talked to like the ad...Ford was not preaching he was explaing his background...what a better place to do it than in the Church he was Baptized in....How many times has Bush used a Church for political reasons....Remember 9/11....

[high density]

54. Who cares?

Porn has been shot in churches before. Political ads aren't too far removed from that.

[TankLV]

55. Who cares? - except the hypocritical REPUKES as usual...

Only mad that THEY didn't think of it first.

"God" (Santa Clause, Easter Bunny) is NON-PARTISAN.

It's only big to those trying to make a mountain out of a spec of dust...

[Strathos]

57. All is fair in love, war and politics

Good for him! You MUST fight these republicans bastards by their own rules.