Harold Ford Jr. and the Democratic Party

[erpowers]

What were the reasons that some congressinal Democrats did not want Harold Ford Jr. to run for or be House Minority Leader? I ask this because Republicans did not want J.C. Watts to be their leader. I just wanted to see if the parties had different reasons for not wanting them to be the leaders of the parties.

[devilgrrl]

1. Because Ford is a DINO

He's the Afro-American version of Ralph Reed.

[Joy Anne]

2. From the times I've seen him talking

he seems to fit in with the DLC. I found him too far right for my tastes.

[Bandit]

3. It is called experience

Gephart has the experience and the clout. ford doesn't. at least not yet. Congress is a lot of backroom dealing and Gephart knows the deals and which strings can be pulled and which ones can't. Ford has a lot of learning to do. It certainly isn't because of race.

[Carolina]

4. agree with first reply ... DINO

Ford is probably going nuts because the new AA rising star of the Democratic Party who speaks to liberal themes is OBAMA.

Ford strikes this middle-aged AA woman as too eager to build his resume, to hungry for exposure and camera time, too much of Lieberman-like DLCer.

Obama has it going on, but his wife -- a sharp cookie herself -- keeps him grounded and humble.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. Ford is pure, unfiltered, DLC. Pelosi was "too liberal" for the DINO's

Wouldn't be surprised to see him cross the aisle to rise to repug stardom.

[cmkramer]

6. Baloney

Actually, he's a member of the Blue Dogs and the DLC which would make you assume he's center (DLC) right (Blue Dogs). However, he's also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Progressive Caucus (liberal/progressive).

Kind of silly to accuse him of being a DINO. He's not a freakazoid lefty by any stretch of the imagination but he's also far from being a sepia-toned Zell Miller.

[DaveSZ]

7. How can you be a blue dog and a progressive?

I like Obama better.

:)

[goclark]

11. Love Obama and Ford

There should be room in our party for both men.
They are articulate and serve as great role models for their community and the political world.

[Carolina]

12. you can't

be both and he is not a member of the progressive caucus.

Ford is about Ford!

And I hear ya about Obama. Ford must be green with envy 'cause Osama is truly the man.

[BringEmOn]

9. Ford is not a member of the Progressive Caucus.

http://bernie.house.gov/pc/members.asp

[southernleftylady]

8. I live in memphis and i really dont like the guy..

ive met hima couple times and he is just a creep.

[redstateblues]

10. Harold Ford Jr. Is Going to Run For Bill Frist's Seat

His chances of winning in our state are slim and none. I like him and would vote for him. His father, who he succeeded was a very controversial character in TN politics. Much heavy baggage.

[southernleftylady]

13. VERY heavy baggage. n/t

[JI7]

14. he is very young,

it would probably be very unlikely such a high position would go to someone who isn't even old enough to be president as ford is. he is also more conservative than most house democrats, but even if he wasn't his age would have made it unlikely he would get enough support for a top position.

[redstateblues]

15. He will never win a statewide office in TN, even tho we elected a Mass.

Librul as our Gov.