Congressman Harold Ford made a campaign swing through Benton last week, drumming up support for his bid to be Tennessee’s new U.S. Senator. Ford met with key Democrats at Tootie’s Restaurant then stopped at several businesses before making several stops in Cleveland. Ford touched on a variety of topics then said he wanted to hear local concerns.A key topic was the proposed sale of several American ports to a company based in the United Arab Emirates, which Ford said “doesn’t make a lot of sense.” He said he understands companies’ desires to save money by outsourcing jobs, adding he may not like it but they have that right. However, he said, “If we have to outsource defending our country, something is very wrong.”
Turning to his campaign, Ford said it will be positive, optimistic and hopeful. “People want things to get better,” he said, recalling a stop at a farm auction, against the advice of his advisors, who said the crowd would be Republican. He said many of the farmers came over and shook his hand, telling him not to worry about the problems of family members and encouraging him. “All I ask my friends to do is be optimistic,” he said, recalling there were many who thought he was out of his mind to proceed with his campaign after his uncle (John Ford) was indicted in the Tennessee Waltz investigation and his aunt was accused of stealing the election to replace him. He added, “I’m a Ford but I’m running and not them.”
Ford also recalled a stop at a convenience store when a woman stopped him and talked about problems with TennCare, saying she can’t afford medicines for her children. “Gov. Bredesen is doing all he can,” Ford said, adding, “we at the federal level have to do something.” The woman said politicians “need to stop bickering and just fix it.” Ford added, “We need to figure out a way to make things better. It’s the right thing to do.”
He said government has grown to its biggest level in the last five years and middle class people are paying more of their income in taxes than billionaires. He noted that President Bush has threatened to veto a bill to require a review of the port authority change but he hasn’t vetoed one spending bill. He said he didn’t support a balanced budget originally but now sees the need for it because of the national debt.
Ford said he has been in Congress for nine years and urged citizens to look at his record, not listen to his opponents. He said he is not in favor of same-sex marriage and abortion on demand, as some would say. “I ask you to support me, to stand up for me. I ask you to correct the record when they accuse me, to set the record straight when they say things about me,” he said, adding, “If you stand up for me, I’ll stand up for you every single day.”
Ford said it will be hard, but “we’re going to win this race.” Polk Democratic Party Chairman Jimmy McAbee advised him to get out, to meet people, to listen to the poor man. “Get some of our money back or be careful with what little we have,” he said. County Executive Hoyt Firestone said health care is a big issue and family income has taken a big hit with increasing fuel costs. “That impacts everyone,” he said, encouraging Ford to show support for the middle class.
Ford listened and took notes as county officials talked about the need for jobs, transportation funds and other issues. He said federal transportation funds will produce more jobs more quickly. He said the tax code should be changed because it now provides tax breaks when companies more offshore. “It should be the reverse,” he said, noting businesses should get a tax cut if they create jobs in America and they provide health insurance for workers.
Ford said America is not producing enough smart workers and was asked why student loans are being cut. He said he didn’t support that, saying it doesn’t make sense to support making America more competitive and then voting to cut student loans.
Ford said the soldier of tomorrow needs to understand foreign cultures if the nation is going to win the war on terrorism. He said there are thousands of hours of intelligence tapes that haven’t been transcribed because there are not enough translators.
Before leaving, Ford repeated his request for support. “Stand up for me and I’ll stand up for you.”
Prior to a session at Lee College, Friends of the Library President Larry Condon met briefly with Ford, telling him that Polk is the only county in the state without full-service libraries. Ford said he would try to get a budget earmark for $100,000 and aides immediately began working on that. Condon, who then spoke with aides by phone and filled out paperwork, said he was excited about the possibility, adding it would make a big difference.
Source: Harold Ford Jr. Online
