As I have been saying for months now, Congressman Harold Ford's candidacy for the U.S. Senate puts Tennessee on the map in 2006.This assertion is confirmed by an article in today's Robertson County Times by Bill Dannenmaier:
U.S. Rep. Harold Ford telephoned the other day. He said he would like to meet me. I replied that I would be delighted to meet him that I lived about half way between Clarksville and Dickson, close to the highway. If, when he visited those cities, he would stop we would have some lunch for him and his entourage, and if he didn't mind, I'd invite a few friends in to meet him. He liked that idea.
My bride didn't.
The first thing that happened, one reason for her attitude, was that our house was a mess. Our house is always a mess. People come and go. I have eight children and 11 grandchildren at present and all have the idea they can drop in and be welcome at any time (they can and they are) and leave anything with us that they have that they don't want but don't want to throw away. There are also their friends who drop in, view the clutter and add to it.
Sometimes all of this bothers me, but never for long. Busy and happy homes are always messy. Neat, clean houses are found in only three places: on television, in new developments as display houses and in houses occupied by people who sleep in but whose lives are elsewhere. My favorite sign was in the home of a friend. Her children had painted it and she hung it over her stove. It read, "To Mom, the worlds worst housekeeper and cook, the world's best Mom."
She had her priorities in order.
Anyway, at the thought of an important and unknown visitor my bride started cleaning and putting away things. That was one reason for her unhappiness.
Her second reason was different. During our conversation she said there were two groups of people with whom she wanted nothing to do: country musicians and politicians.
I should note that Sheila grew up in Hendersonville and attended school with the children of many country musicians. The only ones she associates with willingly are Buck White's daughters. She grew up with them in the same church.
The Whites, all of them, are the type of people you would like to have for your neighbors. Once, sitting on the front steps at Sheila's parent's home with Sharon White, she talked about her and her family's life in country music. She said, "The others call us the 'Christians' because we live by a strict code of morals, many don't."
I disagree with my bride's attitude. It is possible to ignore the country musicians. They don't influence your life against your wishes. But politicians do, whether you like it or not. You must know as much about them as possible before you vote if you are to vote with any intelligence.
Of course, if you are one of those mindless people who vote a straight ticket, Democrat or Republican, you then trust other people to select those who will determine your future and the futures of any children you may have.
That is why I welcome the idea of an opportunity to meet Mr. Ford. He is likely to be the Democratic candidate for senator. I would probably vote for Mr. Bryant if he were the Republican candidate because I had good experiences with his office when requesting help on gaining information for my columns, but if a different Republican wins the nomination of the party, my vote is up for grabs. That is why I would like to meet Mr. Ford.
I confess to some sorry experiences in my judgment: I voted for Mr. Sundquist the first time, but as I learned more I voted for Mr. Hooker the second time. In my mind, his honesty was not subject to question. I feared Mr. Bredesen, but have been pleased with his actions up until the Nov. 13 issue of The Tennessean.
It appears that state troopers who donated to Mr. Bredesen's campaign received promotions ahead of those who were better qualified on neutral tests but didn't make contributions. I hope Mr. Bredesen corrects this, there must be some way of taking away corrupt promotions. If not, the Republican candidate for governor has a certain vote from me in the next election. We have enough corruption in Nashville. We don't need it continued when we are aware of it.
Seventy-five years of experience have taught me that liars will lie, thieves will steal and people who provide undeserved benefits for their "friends" will continue to do so. We don't need them in public office.
My greatest wish is that each party select competent and honest contenders so that whoever wins the people will never lose. But that happens less often than I wish.
I confess, and in Dickson this is a confession, that I am mostly Republican, but in the voting booth I'm American.
This yet again confirms what we already know: Harold Ford Jr. is going to be a tough candidate because he can appeal to a wide range of voters.
Again, just look at what the experts have been saying as well.
Their assertions are also backed up by this article.
- In the most recent quarter, Congressman Ford led all candidates vying for the U.S. Senate in fundraising. "U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr., a Democrat from Memphis, led all candidates vying for the U.S. Senate in fundraising for the third quarter, bringing in $523,904.73, according to his campaign papers." --Ashland City Times, 10/15/05
- According to The Hill, Harold Ford's candidacy is giving Republicans heartburn. "Tennessee, which has twice backed President Bush, is giving some Republicans heartburn, with the GOP Senate contenders attacking their opponents' conservative credentials while Rep. Harold Ford (D-Tenn.) out fundraises his Republican rivals and aggressively canvasses the state." --The Hill, 10/05/05
- The Cook Political Report ranks TN US Senate race as only 1 of 4 toss-ups in the entire country: TN US Senate race is ranked a "toss-up" by the widely respected Charlie Cook Political Report. 10/28/05
- Republicans fret over Ford's potential like no other: "Despite it all, Republicans fret over Ford's potential like no other Democrat seeking the seat being vacated by Majority Leader Bill Frist."--AP, 06/12/05
- Top Republican advisor says "it's going to take a significant amount of resources to keep Senator Frist's seat from falling in Democratic hands": Sonny Scott, an adviser to Mr. Bryant, said Rep. Ford has an impressive national spotlight and will be well funded in the race. "It'll be a huge race for Republicans," he said. "It's going to take a significant amount of resources to keep Senator Frist's seat from falling in Democratic hands."--Chattanooga Times Free Press, 07/25/05
- This week top Republican strategist Frank Luntz stated that if Harold Ford Jr. was a leader in the Democratic Party, the party would be heading towards a majority because Ford understands that you have to stand for something. "Truth is, if they had Rahm Emanuel [of Illinois] or Harold Ford [of Tennessee], they would be heading towards, in the direction of, a majority because the two of them understand that you have to stand for something - [that] you cannot win just by being negative." --Christian Science Monitor, 10/26/05
- Conservative-leaning newspaper "The Washington Times" called Harold Ford Jr. "the kind of Democrat that Republicans should fear": "A young, black politician with deep Tennessee roots, Mr. Ford is the kind of Democrat that Republicans should fear. In a caucus that lacks both ideas and energy, he is full of both. --Washington Times, 11/12/02
- Ford's message plays well among a wide range of voters: "Ford's young, handsome, well-spoken and can get a crowd going. He's carefully positioned himself as a moderate Democrat, skilled at pitching a conservative-leaning message many think could play well among a range of voters... He's also spoken out strongly in support of the military's effort in Iraq, and sided with "Blue Dog" Democrats on reducing the federal deficit." --AP, 06/12/05
- Moderate record and demonstrated ability to appeal to votes across racial lines: "Ford, who is black, has compiled a moderate record and demonstrated an ability to appeal to votes across racial lines -- the latter of which will be key in a state whose population is less than 17 percent black." --National Journal's Congress Daily, 08/05/05
- Conservative on-line publication RedState.org says the Tennessee US Senate seat is "very real risk of Republican loss", "And thus, a Senate seat that should be safely red has now become an absolute toss-up, with a very real risk of Republican loss." -- RedState.org, 08/31/05"
- Harold Ford Junior, a congressman from Memphis regarded as one of the Democrats' few bright hopes in the South" --The Economist, 06/04/05
