Stand Up Against Ford, Jr

[freedbarton]

Gay Tennesseeans need to wake up when it comes to Harold Ford, Jr he is really a Republican in sheeps clothing. He is against same sex marriage and the rights of gays. His San Fransisco fundraiser was cancelled due to he political stand on these issues. What's his real story anyway, built on lies like the rest of his histerical family?

 

[jkirk3000]

Please don't use one issue to judge a politician. Look at his entire set of beliefs, and then pass judgement. I don't know him that well - only from my brief exposure to him on TV. He seems like a thoughtful, genuine guy. Do more research on what he stands for and then decide...

 

[Soramaro]

HUm to call him republican because he does not stand for gay rights is alittle far. You don't have to be for gay rights to be liberal just like you don't have to be against them to be republican. I see hwat you are saying but to judge him based on this rather large but still just one issue is out of context.

 

[Simon123]

Isn't he a better choice than Corker, who sounds like the Shrub to me.

 

[lawdude]

freedbarton, as a liberal Democrat, I respectfully disagree with you. I don't like the fact that Ford supported a Constitutional ban on gay marriage or for that matter the fact that he appears to be pro-life. But the fact is that a socially liberal Democrat is going to have a really difficult time getting elected but a socially conservative Democrat has a better shot in Tennessee. Even though Ford would likely continue opposing gay rights if elected to Senate, his procedural vote would add to the chance of a Democratic majority in Senate, which would allow Democrats to set the legislative agenda and this Democratic majority would be overall more supportive of gay rights or at least not actively trying to take our rights away. And as I said about Joe Lieberman a short while ago in this forum, having some moderate or even conservative Democrats in your party is good thing in the long run. I think you need to think about the big picture here.

 

[Dashriprock3172]

He is two faced just like the rest of the Ford family. I think he will do anything to get votes at this point. I am from Memphis and it is known that he is gay himself.

 

[lawdude]

He is two faced just like the rest of the Ford family. I think he will do anything to get votes at this point. I am from Memphis and it is known that he is gay himself.

He is gay himself? Really? Could you elaborate on these rumors?

I am not from Tennesee so I don't know him very well but he just rubs me the wrong way. I mean he is good looking, appears to be bright, has a politician for a father. In other words he seems to project a good image as politican. Which is actually maybe why I can't seem to warm up to him. He seems too put together and too artificial. He challenged Pelosi for the Democratic leadership a few years ago and it was rumored that he was considered as a VP candidate for Kerry. Ambition is one thing but I get the feeling that all he wants to do is acquire political power and prestige and he is less interested in actually making a difference.

 

[Simon123]

As one who lives close to Memphis, I hear most of the Ford family horror stories. I still think he is the lesser evil and would help the Democrats blunt the stupid other side.

 

[snapcat]

Maltese has often remarked on the corruption that has been associated with the Ford family. He's not a fan. Perhaps he'll have an opportunity to post.

Personally, I agree with lawdude.

 

[iman]

When William J. Fulbright had to choose between voting for the Civil Rights Bill of 1964 and losing his seat in the Senate, he voted against the bill to retain his seat, but said he would vote in favor of it if his vote was needed for passage. The point being that sometimes politicians have to take unfortunate positions, but in the long run they can be an asset for the country. Fulbright was one of the most distinguished Senators of the 20th century.

P.S. Goldwater also voted against the bill saying "You can't legislate morality". Wrong again Barry.

 

[maltese]

He is two faced just like the rest of the Ford family. I think he will do anything to get votes at this point. I am from Memphis and it is known that he is gay himself.

The man is a political chameleon. From the conservative standpoint, there is little in his current ads that I could disagree with - because he has to have the more conservative side of swing voters in order to get himself a bit of power. He can pretty much count on the democratic side to fall in line no matter what he says.

Interesting to see the statements about Corker being 'just like shrub', as Corker isn't a terribly conservative Republican, and the religious conservatives don't like him. Both parties are running to the middle here.

But I wouldn't worry about what Ford believes - I have no faith that he believes anything other than what the current audience wants him to believe.

I suppose that being a political whore (hardly an unusual thing 'midst the political class) is better than being a political crook like much of the rest of the family.

He's not even been indicted, much less been shown taking bribes on camera in an FBI sting. Or shooting at people on the interstate when he gets cut off. Or arranging for dead people to vote. Or diverting state funds for his mistress. Or shooting at the utility guys when they come to read the meter....

Whatever does he talk about at family reunions?

 

[maltese]

Maltese has often remarked on the corruption that has been associated with the Ford family.

'Associated with'. Sounds so much better than 'caught on camera during FBI sting, indicted, standing trial, thrown out of the state senate'... doesn't it.

Rather close 'association'.

 

[lawdude]

maltese, are you saying that Ford is a criminal or that his family is criminal. If it is the latter should Ford be judged based on what his family did? And what are these horror stories I am hearing about? Will someone elaborate? I am curious.

 

[maltese]

maltese, are you saying that Ford is a criminal or that his family is criminal. If it is the latter should Ford be judged based on what his family did? And what are these horror stories I am hearing about? Will someone elaborate? I am curious.

Ford was raised to power, and trained as a politician, but I am not aware of any criminal allegations in his direction.

The question of whether a man should be judged by the criminality of his family is a good one, and I am admittedly biased as someone who deeply disagrees with Ford family politics. However, I think that it is important to consider that Harold Jr. is in the public eye and political power not despite his family's history, but rather because of it. It seems rather disingenous to trade on your family's name, connections, and political organization in order to come to political prominence, and then to disavow all knowledge of it once you arrive at a position of power.

The Ford family history is full of allegations, various charges, etc.... but the most recent in the news is Harold Jr.'s uncle, John Ford. John's been well-known as a hot-tempered bribe taker for years (he was a State Senator), but he finally got busted in a hidden camera FBI sting taking bribes and threatening an agent. His sister Ophelia ran for his vacated seat, and won by 13 votes in an election marked by an unusual number of the recently deceased who voted. That drama is not yet resolved.


http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050526/NEWS02/50526002


http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060420/NEWS0201/604200396/1001/NEWS

 

[freedbarton]

Jr.'s own father Harold Sr. help bankrupt one of the TNCare HMOs, Acess MedPlus, as being on of the owners of the HMO he was also paid 1million for "consulting" to same HMO. Auntie Ophelia was appointed by God to take the State Senate seat. The entire family has delusions of grandeur. Yes, it is said often in Memphis, Dallas, Atlanta,and Chicago the Jr. is gay and "a big ole bottom". Uncle John, with his crazy drug and alcohol addicted ex-wife,Tamara has a total of 32 illegitimate children that he does not help with child support.

 

[snapcat]

Harold Ford comes from the Edwin Edwards branch of the Democratic Party, wouldn't you agree Maltese?

As a mere Snapkitten I often watched Memphis televison news and he was often considered a "god" there.

I've not followed his political career that closely, but from what I'm hearing he and Edwin Edwards would have great fun together at a party.

For those people that don't know who Edwin Edwards is, just google his name. He is a former Dem Gov. of Louisisana and he has a colorful - to say the least - career!

 

[papacanuseeme]

As a gay man that lives in TN and more than likely will always live here. I think that Ford's stand on gay marriage and abortion are in line with the majority of Tennesseans. I had rather have any Ford in a position of power to speak for me, than a Bush. Corker I am sure it a good major for Chatanooga, and I wish him continued sucess in that position. I am sure Ford will have an uphill battle based soley upon his race in winning a Senate seat from TN, we tend to be way behind in our ability to look at someone based on anything but race. Sad but so true......In the county I live, there's a highly qualified African American woman running as a democrate against a wife beating closet case for a local office, and he is way ahead in the polls....Hopefully someday before too long, we can truly vote based on content of character, rather than color of one's skin.

 

[freedbarton]

Latest rumor on Jr. is that he an Senator B Obama are on the DL. Has anyone else heard these rummors?

 

[snapcat]

Oh, be serious!