In the days that have passed since Rosalind Kurita dropped out of the U.S. Senate race, a handful of liberal bloggers who supported Kurita have took their anger out on Congressman Ford.It appears that they are blaming Congressman Ford, as well as the Democratic Party for Senator Kurita dropping out.
I respectfully disagree with that notion.
Senator Kurita ran a hard and respectful campaign on the issues for many months here in Tennessee. However, according to polls, fundraising, and every other reliable indicator, the support was just not there for her candidacy. Harold Ford Jr. or the Democratic Party had no hand in that.
Personally, I do not see how these attacks on Congressman Ford does anyone any good. The fact is Congressman Ford is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate now. Having a legitimate disagreement on an issue is one thing, but personally attacking him the way some Democrats are right now only does the Republicans dirty work for them and makes me wonder who those people are really working for, because the Republicans don't view Congressman Ford anything other than a threat.
I urge my fellow Democrats who have taken part in attacking the Congressman to remember that this race is going to be tough and vicious as it moves along this year and that we need all the help we can get. That means as good Democrats, we all need to rally around Congressman Ford to ensure victory this November.
We must all remember that at the end of the day, we are working towards replacing the Republicans and their failed policies with new, bold leadership.
Harold Ford Jr. is just the guy to do that.
Congressman Ford's campaign represents change like no other.
To get a grasp of Congressman Ford's dedication to changing our current course of action, lets have a look at his Covenant with Tennesseans:
1. Pass a constitutional amendment to balance the budget and simplify our tax code so deficits and taxes will come down, investments in education, new jobs and technologies will go up and Tennesseans can start working and earning more.
2. Reduce our dependence on foreign oil by 75% in 10 years (1), maintain the smartest and strongest national security and emergency response strategy at home and abroad, protect our borders and never again send Americans to war without a clear purpose, mission and exit plan.
3. Make healthcare and prescription drugs affordable for seniors, veterans and hard working American families, and ensure that no Tennesseans have to fend for themselves alone during a hard time. (1, 2, 3)
4. Pass a campaign ethics law that gives ordinary people equal say with special interests in Washington.
5. Restore a sense of fairness and morality to the American dream by giving every child in America a fair start in life and guaranteeing college tuition in exchange for national service for all willing to serve their country. (1)
Congressman Ford has also been outspoken when it comes to the situation in Iraq. Just recently the Congressman has called for the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld:
"For the sake of our country and the safety of our troops, President Bush should accept the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Rumsfeld has lost the confidence of his peers, subordinates and the thousands of men and women who bravely and selflessly serve this country."
The Congressman has also shown his leadership by challenging our generation to work towards becoming independent from oil, just as John Kennedy challenged his generation to go into space so many years ago.
Knoxville News-Sentinel reported this past week, "Noting that oil prices had surged close to $70 a barrel and gas prices in Knoxville average $2.62 a gallon, he added, "There isn't a Democratic or Republican way to pay $69 a barrel for oil."
Ford said energy independence would require a visionary effort such as the push to build the interstate highway system or to land on the moon. He said removing the country's dependence on foreign oil would remove the need for military action in the future."
Clearly, Harold Ford Jr. is dedicated to tackling the tough issues that faces our state and nation.
Congressman Ford is a god fearing, 2nd Amendment supporting, pro-defense and pro-veteran Democrat who knows that people in Tennessee want change in the form of good results.
And, that's why he is going to win this race!
So my fellow Democrats, I respectfully urge you to unite behind Congressman Harold Ford Jr. and his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.
This race is far too important to lost on small differences between us.
We have a chance this November to change the course of our state and nation for the better. I am confident at the end of the day, Democrats will once again save the day as they have throughout our nation's history.
103 Days
Days of Congressional Inaction on Ethics
Above is the number of days that have passed since Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to bribing Congressman.
It is also the number of days in which Congress has failed to pass an ethics reform bill that would limit private travel, ski and golf junkets, and would call for a full disclosure of expenses by lobbyists on members of Congress.
It is time for Congress to step up and pass an ethics reform bill that would do all of the above. In addition, it is time to end the pork barrel spending system as we know it and establish an independent ethics commission that would review ethics complaints against members of Congress.
I am proud Congressman Harold Ford Jr. is fighting for that reform!
Read Congressman Ford's call for reform of the House rules here!
