The campaign of U.S. Senate nominee Harold Ford Jr. today launched a new television ad offering Tennessee soybeans as an answer to our overdependence on foreign oil.Entitled “Right Here,” the 30-second spot opens with Ford walking through a Dyer County soybean field. “What if the next big oil field . . . was a soybean field here in Tennessee,” Ford asks. “I’m Harold Ford JR. and for too long all the tax breaks have gone to big oil when this is our ticket to energy freedom.
“Let’s stop giving billions to oil companies making billions . . . so we don’t have to cozy up to those with the oil.
“We need a new generation of leaders who know that solving the energy crisis won’t happen half-a-world away… but will right here on our farms, using our technology. And that’s why I approved this message.”
The ad is airing in all Tennessee media markets on broadcast and cable.
The script and documentation is included below. To view the ad, go to www.fordfortennessee.com.
"Right Here" Script
Ford v/o: What if the next big oil field… Was a soybean field here in Tennessee?
Ford s/s: I’m Harold Ford Jr. and For too long all the tax breaks have gone to big oil when this is our ticket to energy freedom.
Ford v/o: Let’s stop giving billions to oil companies making billions… so we don’t have to cozy up to those with the oil.
Ford s/s: We need a new generation of leaders who know that solving the energy crisis won’t happen half-a-world away… but will right here on our farms, using our technology. And that’s why I approved this message.
Harold Ford Jr: A record of fighting for alternative fuels, renewable energy and energy independence
Congressman Harold Ford Jr's authored legislation to provide $3 billion for a 10-year program to encourage domestic production of hybrid and advanced diesel vehicles that was part of the Energy Bill (HR 6). Passed the US House on 04/21/06. [H.AMDT. 85 to HR 6, Passed 04/21/06]
National Association of Manufacturers applauds Harold Ford Jr for voting to lower energy costs and address America's energy rising costs: "Rep. Harold Ford did the right thing for American consumers and industry in his vote to open up the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for natural gas exploration," said John Engler, President of the National Association of Manufacturers. "This was a vote for jobs over politics. The working people of Tennessee owe him a debt of gratitude." Despite Rep. Ford's commonsense stance for lower energycosts, the House voted to continue to restrict supply of natural gas by extending the Congressional moratorium on the OCS, and therefore keep energy prices at record highs." National Association of Manufacturers Release, 05/19/06
Voted YES on Price Gouging Proposal: The vote was for a bill that bans price gouging in the sale of fuels, sets penalties for such price gouging, and permits states to bring lawsuits against wholesalers or retailers for pricegouging. It would require the Federal Trade Commission to define price gouging and make gasoline price gouging a federal crime punishable by up to two years in prison and fines up to $150 million. HR 5253, 05/03/06, CQ Today, 5/3/06]
Voted YES to authorize astudy by the National Academy of Sciences on the feasibility of mustard seed as a feedstock for biodiesel: This amendment would authorize a study by the National Academy of Sciences on thefeasibility of mustard seed as a feedstock for biodiesel. Amdt to HR 6, 04/21/2005, Passed 259-171
Voted YES on an amendment that would make producers of all approved renewable fuels eligible for grants to build production facilities for renewable fuels and the bill also approved that renewable fuels are itemsproduced from renewable biomass, such as feed crop residues and animal waste: "Engel, D-N.Y., amendment that would make producers of all approved renewable fuels eligible for grants to build production facilities forrenewable fuels. Approved renewable fuels are items produced from renewable biomass, such as feed crop residues and animal waste." Amdt to HR 6, 04/21/2005, Passed 239-190
Voted Yes on an amendment to include alternate fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel fuels in the Strategic Fuels Reserve: "Kaptur, D-Ohio., amendment that would rename the Strategic Petroleum Reserve the Strategic Fuels Reserve, and would give the Energy Department authority to include alternate fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel fuels in the reserve." Amdt to HR 6, 04/20/05, Failed 186-239
Voted YES on amendment that would increase funding for renewable energy sources by $30 million: "The vote opposed to an amendment to the energy and water funding bill to increase funding for renewable energy sources by $30 million - 10% more than what the underlying bill provided for solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydrogen renewable energy programs. The increase would be offset by a decrease in the Advanced Simulation and Computing program - a project to analyze and predict the performance, safety, and reliability of nuclear weapons and certify their functionality. The increase was defeated, 150-241." (CQ House Action Reports. Legislative Day: 6/25/04; Advanced Simulation and Computing Program. http://www.lanl.gov/asci/)
Voted YES to provide an additional $30 million for renewable energy programs: "Udall, D-Colo., amendment that would provide an additional $30 million for renewable energy programs and offset the cost with a reductionto nuclear waste disposal funds." Amdt to HR 2754, 07/18/03
Voted YES to authorize $10 million annually through fiscal 2006 for a partnership program to promote and conduct public outreach on renewable and alternative energy: "Bono, R-Calif., amendment that would authorize $10 million annually through fiscal 2006 for a partnership program between the EPA and private industry to promote and conduct public outreach on renewable and alternative energy." Amdt to HR 4, 08/01/01, Passed 411-15
Voted YES on increasing fuel efficiency for SUVs: "Boehlert, R-N.Y., amendment that would require the Transportation Department to ensure that the total amount of gas consumed by cars and light trucks in 2010 be 5 percent less than allowed under average fuel economy standards for 2004." Amdt to HR 6, 04/10/03, Failed 162-268
Voted YES to an amendment that would require the Transportation Department to issue regulations by model year 2007 that would increase fuel efficiency standards to at least 33 miles per gallon in automobiles manufactured by model year 2015: "Boehlert, R-N.Y., amendment that would require the Transportation Department to issue regulations by model year 2007 that would increase fuel efficiency standards to at least 33 miles per gallon in automobiles manufactured by model year 2015." Amdt to HR 6, 04/20/05
Bob Corker: A lapdog for Big Oil
"You don't give money to political campaigns. You give money to charities. You invest money in political candidates who believe in what you believe, and the inauguration is part of the political process." -- James Haslam, "Deep Pockets Tapped for Bush Inauguration," Gannett News Service, 1/17/05
Corker's Finance Chair A Big Oil CEO: Corker's campaign finance chair is "Gas Station King" Jimmy Haslam, the CEO of Pilot Oil, a Big Oil giant with $4 billion in annual revenues. ). He has so far helped Corker to raise $5.5 million (Chattanooga Times Free Press, 2/9/05; Knoxville News Sentinel, 3/9/03; Center for Responsive Politics, 7/26/2006)
Pilot Oil CEO and Family Have Poured Money Into Corker's Coffers: Jimmy Haslam, his family have contributed $34,100 to Corker's campaign. (Center for Responsive Politics, 7/26/2006)
Corker has raised $58,750 total from the Oil and Gas industries to date. With Haslam's help, Corker has raised more money from the oil and gas industry than any other non-incumbent Senate candidate this cycle. (Center
for Responsive Politics, 7/26/2006)
Oil Interest Group Hosting Fundraisers for Corker: Bob Corker held an event with the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the invitation to which noted the maximum contributions allowed. (Knoxville News Sentinel, Commercial Appeal, Nashville City Paper, 7/26/2006)
- "Mr. Corker also is expected to attend a "meet and greet" today at the Independent Association of America, which represents independent oil and natural gas producers. An invitation notes maximum contributions per person are $2,100, while PACs may give $5,000 per election." (Chattanooga Times Free Press, 7/26/2006)
Pilot Oil CEOs holds multiple, high dollar fundraisers for Corker, the first of which only barely followed the November 2004 presidential elections:
- "Businessman Jim Haslam II hosted a breakfast and luncheon for Republican Bob Corker on Tuesday at Club LeConte for about 60 potential contributors." (Knoxville News Sentinel, 11/13/2004)
- "A 'Who's Who' list of Republicans and businesspeople have signed on for a $1,000-per-person reception, to be held 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the West Knoxville home of Jimmy and Dee Haslam, in support of Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker's U.S. Senate bid." (Knoxville News Sentinel, 12/6/2004)
- "A list of prominent Republicans is hosting a $1,000-per-person fundraiser for Bob Corker, former Chattanooga mayor running for the U.S. Senate, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the guest lodge of Pete and Cindi DeBusk on Cunningham Road. With Pilot executive Jimmy Haslam as Corker's state finance chairman, Haslam family members, including Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, are among the hosts as they were for a similar reception just about a year ago in Knoxville." (Knoxville News Sentinel, 12/10/2005)
Corker is endorsed by Independent Petroleum Association of America: "The Independent Petroleum Association of America's PAC director, Kelly Philson, said the IPAA has endorsed Corker for the election. 'I believe that he is the strongest candidate out there that will be an advocate for domestic producers of oil and natural gas,' Philson said." (Nashville City Paper, 7/26/2006)
Corker campaign signs are a regular appearance at gas stations, where consumers are reminded of Corker's allegiances while they pay almost $3 a gallon.
217 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!
