Time: Why Harold Ford Has a Shot --- or, DINO for TN.

[NoodleyAppendage]

The Congressman who is running to replace retiring Bill Frist as Senator from Tennessee has voted to outlaw gay marriage and to repeal the estate tax, and wants to amend the Constitution to ban flag burning. He supports getting rid of the handgun ban in the nation's capital and says the Ten Commandments should be posted in courtrooms around his state. He favors school prayer, argues that more troops should have been sent to Iraq and wants to seal the border with Mexico.

... http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1223381,00.html

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Hmmm...based upon the first paragraph, why exactly is Harold Ford a Democrat??? Does one have to sell their soul to get elected in the South??? So much for integrity.

J

[Greeby]

1. The state that gave us President Gore.....

Don't see why they should be saddled with a DINO like Ford

[marmar]

4. What's the other option?

I'm no fan of DINOS, but it's Tennessee - there's only so far left it's gonna go. THey didn't even vote for their own in the 2000 election.

[longship]

11. TN has changed demographic since Gore.

It's the tenth most Republican state. What would you expect? Somebody like Wellstone or Feingold winning a Senate race in TN? That could *never* happen right now.

We're going to support Rep. Ford because we *know* that he can win in TN and will form a dynamic part of the new Democratic Party Senatorial majority.

You see, only the Repug Party is the party of ideological purity. Democrats stand for diversity and respect for others' opinions.

I do not agree with Rep. Ford on many, many issues including the ones you cite. But damnit, if he wasn't running in TN it would have to be somebody just like him. The only alternative is another Repug just like Frist.

[ktowntennesseedem]

17. Well said...

Ford is way to the right of my own positions, but then so is most of this state. He's our best chance in a while for putting a "D" after the term "Senator from Tennessee," and I'll take a DINO over any Repub any day. Tennessee has moved far to the right since the Gore days, and if we ever manage to move it back toward the left we have to do it incrementally. It's going to be an interesting race as it is; we'd never elect anyone to the left of Ford right now.

[Wiley50]

30. We could get a lot more left here in TN

If someone would "ice" Limpballs, bomb Faux and WLAC, and offer our poor a better way.

They vote against their own self interest
because, for one thing,
there's no Air America affiliate in Nashville.

Not to mention, the HQ of Lifeway
and all the bloodsucking RW preachers

I'm just waiting for the country to blow

and I am taking advantage of my 2nd amendment rights
in the meantime

[ktowntennesseedem]

39. I hear you, Wiley50!

No Air America in Knoxville either. Closest stations are one in Chattanooga and one in Cincinatti (used to be able to barely pick up the latter late at night after all the local gospel-music/preaching stations went off the air, but that's about it.)

And as a recovering Southern Baptist, I know about Lifeway all too well.

The Volunteer state will probably never be a bastion of liberalism, but I'll be content to at least see it heading in the right direction.

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LincolnMcGrath]

38. Moron's?

http://www.apostrophe.fsnet.co.uk/

[LittleClarkie]

40. Yeah, it's a pub down on 42nd Street. Never heard of it?

Owner has self esteem issues, but that's a different story.

[snowbear]

41. Do they have good pizza?

And how late are they open?

[Hippo_Tron]

43. Senator Gore was more conservative than President Gore

And Tennesee is a lot more Republican than it was when Al Gore was their Senator.

[unschooler]

2. He may be a DINO today, but...

let's see what happens when he's in Harry Reid's Senate.

I've seen it happen a million times (OK, not a million).

[DeepModem Mom]

3. Reading the article, if he can pick up that 6th seat we need...

to take the Senate and its investigative power, I say bring him on.

[loves_dulcinea]

5. he wouldn't vote with the democratic party

he just can't get the support of the republicans in his state. could it be that he's too far out on the right, even for them? nah, just kidding.

[IronLionZion]

6. Because gay marriage, estate tax, and flag burning are the only issues?

Well the only issues that matter to latte liberals anyway. yeah that's a right wing term and I said it. :eyes:

never mind fluff like health care, jobs, energy, pensions, fiscal responsibility, or reigning in pork barrel spending. You gotta stand for your soy chai latte-drinking principles, even if it means electing the most reactionary right wing Republicans the world has ever seen.

[mtnsnake]

10. Best post I've read today

Thank you!

[NoodleyAppendage]

20. Yeah, separation of church and state is so "trival" these days...

Supporting efforts to reduce, not strengthen, the separation of church and state is not a "latte issue."

I'm sure health care, jobs, energy, pensions, and fiscal responsibility can be handled by a theocratic, fascist government, as well.

J

[OzarkDem]

28. Not trivial at all n/t

[OzarkDem]

27. Tell us some more

Please explain how Harold Ford votes like a Democrat on other issues.

The latte liberal label and other left wing remarks are disingenous and play well with conservatives, but its time we make some real distinctions here, instead of tossing labels.

The best thing about the Democratic Party and its inclusiveness is that the end result is good public policy. Dem ideas are good because they work and they build up our country without victimizing anyone. Dems will always be superior to conservatives when it comes to governing because they use a collaborative process to develop good public policy. Its been proven time and again. Its not leftist, its not DLC, its good public policy made by Democrats.

Silly issues like flag burning amendments, etc. are junk issues, throwaway legislation designed to appease one group or another.

[mitchtv]

33. Better than Frist

that's as far as I'll go.(hard to trust people with his values) I'm a hard core union Dem.

[snowbear]

36. His values? Did you see Corker's kids website?

Whoa!

Someone at the Corker household forgot to teach the kiddie's some "family values"..

I'll try and locate the site that was on here a month or so ago and post it.. The Ford family looks like saints next to the Corker kids..

[AX10]

7. Today, I could give a damn less if he wins. I'll take a victory in...

Virginia with James Webb over Ford in TN if I could only have one of those seats. Ford has a history of bashing the base of the party to which he belongs, very similar to what Lieberman does.

The only thing has has to offer is a vote for the Democratic leadership.

[Lars39]

19. Ford's a New Democrat...one of Lieberman's creations.

[mitchtv]

35. He has a deeply disturbing habit of bashing

Chairman Dean as well .
He makes my skin crawl

[warrens]

8. He's a socially conservative democrat

It's weird, but it sure beats a repuke.

[Catchawave]

22. Yessirreeee!

:hi:

[LittleClarkie]

32. Shit, I'll take it. He would count as a Dem in the almighty headcount

toward a majority in the Senate.

Even if he votes like a Republican about 50% of the time, that's still 50% better than what we have now. And as someone said, there is no damned way a progressive can get elected in Tennessee. So it's either call for the impossible or take what we can get.

I'll take what we can get.

[MrBenchley]

9. Jeeze, between you and Harold Ford, I think I'll take Harold

[politicasista]

14. Me too n/t

[SaveElmer]

12. Ford's ratings from various Liberal /Conservative groups...

Overall...not particularly liberal...but certainly more liberal than any prospective Republican

Liberal Groups

Representative Ford supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 60 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the The Humane Society of the United States 50 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 78 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 88 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the National Education Association 100 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the American Wilderness Coalition 33 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 67 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Children's Defense Fund 56 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the American Association of University Women 100 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 86 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 44 percent in 2003-2004.


Representative Ford supported the interests of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group 68 percent in 2006.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 88 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 75 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 75 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 71 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 73 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker 83 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 100 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 69 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 80 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the National Committee for an Effective Congress 80 percent in 2005.

According to the National Journal - Composite Liberal Score's calculations, in 2005, Representative Ford voted more liberal on economic, defense and foreign policy issues than 58 percent of the Representatives.

According to the National Journal - Liberal on Social Policy's calculations, in 2005, Representative Ford voted more liberal on social policy issues than 61 percent of the Representatives.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Bread for the World 100 percent in 2003-2004.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the The Partnership for the Homeless 100 percent in 2003-2004.

Conservative Groups:

Representative Ford supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 25 percent in 2003-2004.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 67 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Business-Industry Political Action Committee 44 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council 46 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Conservative Index - The John Birch Society 25 percent in Spring 05.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Eagle Forum 29 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Republican Liberty Caucus - Personal Liberties on personal liberties 40 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Republican Liberty Caucus 35 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Republican Liberty Caucus - Economic Issues on economic issues 30 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 21 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the American Land Rights Association 29 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Family Research Council 23 percent in 2005.

Representative Ford supported the interests of the Citizens Against Government Waste 15 percent in 2005.

According to the National Journal - Conservative on Economic Policy calculations, in 2005 Representative Ford voted more conservative on economic policy issues than 42 percent of Representatives.

According to the National Journal - Conservative on Foreign Policy's calculations, in 2005, Representative Ford voted more conservative on foreign policy issues than 44 percent of the Representatives.

[fujiyama]

13. Those views are worse than I expected

but then again, this is TN. I'd rather get someone with a D that will vote for Reid as majority leader though, rather than getting stuck with McConnel or some other dickhead repuke.

[pf99]

15. Bob Corker is 1000 time worst than Bill First

enough said.

Tennessean please Vote Jr.

[redstateblues]

24. Reality: A liberal Dem will not win in TN- Bredesen won because

he gained the confidence of the moderate Republicans. I'd rather have a centrist Dem than a right wing Repug. The lesser of two evils? Sometimes that's the choice we're given.

[Wiley50]

29. Bredesen's a Corporatist. I've met him. n/t

[Pirate Smile]

16. We need him to win if we have any chance of taking back the Senate.

I sure hope he pulls it off.

[stray cat]

18. Can't the constituents in a state decide on the type of Dem they want?

They are elected to represent their constituents not a specific wing of the democratic party replete with litmus tests.

[Catchawave]

21. Who's our other choice ?

A Republican? :shrug:

I like Harold, I've sent a small donation to his campaign and I hope he wins.

I hope after tommorrow's CT primary, we can go back to bashing Republicans !?!

[Anakin Skywalker]

23. Based On the Points

of some of the pro-Ford folks on here, if you were living in CT, would you vote Lieberman?

[redstateblues]

25. Not a fair comparison- TN is red state where a conservative Dem can win, w

CT is a blue state where a liberal Dem can win. Apples and oranges. I've lived in TN for 30 years.

[snowbear]

26. GoOOOoo HF, Jr... I REALLY hope he wins !!!!

I agree with the DU'ers here who made the point that he is a kabillion times better than Frist or Corker.

Rock on Harold.. You can do it ~~ Not too bad on the eyes either!

[LittleClarkie]

31. Well, he's no worse than Frist then

So not much of a difference in that regard. But as long as there is a D in front of his name, he'll count toward a Dem majority. And with a Dem majority, we could have lotsa fun.

So, I'll take it. I know most here will have issues with that statement. But that's where I'm at.

[mitchtv]

37. I agree with you

after all, the worst Dem is a hundred times better than the best Puke.

[AtomicKitten]

42. I like Harold Ford.

He's a perfect candidate to run in Tennessee, and I say that as a liberal from California.

If we can't open our minds enough to grasp the concept that different parts of America require different kinds of Democrats, then we are truly in deep shit as a party. Fortunately most of us get it.