The following report on Congressman Ford's crusade against Bil Oil and the Republican's partnership with the group, appears on the Go4Truth website:U.S. Senate candidate Harold Ford, Jr. Monday launched his fourth round of strong campaign ads, this time with a focus on skyrocketing fuel prices. The ads will run statewide on network TV, cable TV, and radio. In the ads, Ford says unprecedented profits for oil and gas companies and their executives are wrong at a time when fuel prices are crippling family budgets. He calls for increased investments in the development of alternative fuels and an end for tax breaks for oil companies because “drivers need the break.”
“Once again, Harold Ford, Jr. clearly demonstrates that he understands the issues facing Tennessee families and is politically attuned to voters,” Michael Powell, senior advisor to the Ford campaign, said. “He is the only candidate in this race focused on discussing issues and finding solutions to our problems.”
Not surprisingly, the Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Majority Leader Bill Frist have been silent as the price of gas per gallon has doubled what it was when President George W. Bush took office. Why the silence?
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Ed Bryant accepted over $87,000 in campaign contributions from Big Oil, including contributions from the Exxon Mobil PAC, while he was in the U.S. House of Representatives. During that same time, Van Hilleary, then a congressman, accepted more than $69,000 in campaign contributions from Big Oil.
During the current election cycle, Big Oil has supported former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker to the tune of $11,700. Also, Corker has maintained a close relationship with Pilot Oil’s Haslam family throughout his career in public service. During Corker’s failed run for the Senate in 1994, James Haslam II hosted a fundraiser at his home (Knoxville News-Sentinel, 03/25/1994). The News-Sentinel reported in a November 2004 piece titled “Haslams Back Corker for Senate” that the elder Haslam had hosted a breakfast for Corker and encouraged attendees to “get people to a $1,000-per-person fundraiser . . . at the home of Haslam’s son, Jimmy.” Bill Haslam told the paper, “I will help [Corker] any way I can.”
Ford’s Powell said that voters shouldn’t expect to hear Republicans take on Big Oil. “Harold Ford represents a new generation of leadership committed to making government work,” he said. “The others are committed to giving us more of the same. That simply does not work.”
Click here for more on Ford’s plan to provide relief at the gas pumps.
Comments: Go4Truth's premise behind this price is dead on. Harold Ford Jr. is not afraid to stand up for the people by standing up to Big Oil, however, his opponents are.
The proof is in the pudding. While Congressman Ford is fighting for both short term relief for people and a long term strategy that would put our nation on the path for energy independence, his opponents do nothing--at all.
Just another reason why Ford should and will be our next U.S. Senator!
Listen to Congressman Ford's new radio spot here!
Watch Congressman Ford's new TV spot here!
125 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!
