Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Media Coverage Of Congressman Ford's Kickoff Tour Day 2

Below is a roundup of the media that Congressman Ford is getting on his statewide campaign kickoff tour:

Ford Talks Oil On Senate Trail

U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. told a crowd of about 150 supporters in Knoxville Tuesday that the country's long-term security depends on reducing dependency on foreign oil.

On the second day of a four-day statewide bus tour to formally announce his bid for the U.S. Senate, Ford said the United States should invest in new technology, hybrid vehicles and alternative fuels.

Ford, a Democrat speaking to the party faithful at the Foundry in World's Fair Park, said party affiliation means less to voters than the ability to "get things done."

"Running for the senate isn't about left and right anymore, he said.

Noting that oil prices had surged close to $70 a barrel and gas prices in Knoxville averaged $2.62 a gallon, he added: "There isn't a Democratic or Republican way to pay $69 a barrel for oil."

Ford called for a visionary effort such as the push to build the interstate highway system or to land a person on the moon. He said removing the country's dependence on foreign oil would remove the need for military action in the future.

The five-term congressman from Memphis also said he is committed to fiscal responsibility.

"I never voted for a budget that was not balanced," Ford said. "Never."

Ford said ending pork barrel spending and raising the retirement age for people now younger than 40 years old would help reduce the deficit.

Ford said Democrats could succeed in regaining the seat now occupied by majority leader Bill Frist.

"People will flock to us," he said, "if we give them something different, something better -- hope."

Ford is running against state Sen. Rosalind Kurita of Clarksville for the Democratic nomination.


Ford Campaign Makes Stop In Knoxville

His primary isn't until August, but West Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. is going on a statewide bus tour in his bid for Bill Frist's soon-to-be-vacated Senate seat.

Tuesday afternoon, he met with supporters at the Foundry at World's Fair Park.

On the subject of immigration, Ford says the country needs to secure its borders, before it considers giving illegal immigrants an easier, faster way to become citizens.

"Because all you essentially do, as President Bush is learning with his amnesty idea, is that you give people incentives to come into this country and stay a certain amount of time without coming up on the radar screen," says Harold Ford, Jr., (D) Senate Candidate.

Ford says businesses should be punished if they knowingly hire illegal immigrants, but he stopped short of agreeing with the bill the house passed.

It would make such help, a felony.

Congressman Ford is facing Rosalind Kurita in the Democratic primary.


98 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!