Rep. Harold Ford Jr. Files for Senate Bid

[Bluebear]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Democratic Rep. Harold Ford Jr. filed the federal paperwork Wednesday to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Majority Leader Bill Frist.

The five-term congressman from Memphis is the second Democrat to enter the 2006 race. Frist has said he does not plan to seek a third term.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/25/AR2005052501392.html

[Liberty Belle]

1. Does that mean cat-killer is running for president?

[autorank]

2. ABBF (Any Body But Frist)

He's not my favorite Democrat (check my sig pic, he is!) but he'll caucus with us and he was cajoled into coming around on Social Security. Anybody but the Republican they run. Enough already.

And, hey, Tennessee (love your state, BTW), time to save some face after blowing 2000 (which would have, I wonder why, enriched the state in amazing ways). Let's make some history down there. We all support you!

[Kolesar]

3. Who knows, the Dems may be able to pick up some seats in 2006

If we are going to pick up 6, we are going to need to hustle in a LOT of races.

[Cha]

4. That's a happy thought that

frist is leaving..I didn't know that.

[ToeBot]

5. Another DLC Dem... what ever. n/t

[Lannes]

6. Didnt he vote for the bankruptcy bill?

[knoxvilleboy]

8. He did indeed

I fervently hope that Harold Ford doesn't get the nomination. Other than party affiliation there seems to be no reason whatsoever to support him. He'll just disappoint everyone. My support is behind state Sen. Rosalind Kubita. I think she has as good a chance to win as Ford and will vote more as a traditional Democrat.

[paineinthearse]

11. knoxvilleboy

Welcome to DU

:hi:

We have a "republican senators up for re-election in 2006" thread in the DEMOCRATS forum. Please post info about Sen. Rosalind Kubita in the Frist sub-section.

[Radical Activist]

14. Middle Tennessee Democrats

traditionally do better in statewide elections than Memphis Democrats, so there is a strong case to be made for Kubita.

[TornadoTN]

23. We need strong principles, not name recognition

Gov. Phil Bredesen proved that by running with a clear vision and making promises that can be kept, the state of Tennessee can be a blue state.

I don't think Harold Ford brings much to the table other than name recognition. He has been soft on Bush, soft on the Neocon agenda and has failed to stand up firmly against Republican policies that affect our state.

[newyawker99]

22. Hi knoxvilleboy!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[tnlefty]

26. Hello again knoxvilleboy! I'll be supporting Rosalind Kurita right

along with you. Ford will go down in flames. I think that if people get to know Kurita, she has the ability to pull in more women who are fence-sitters.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

7. he's friends with hannity-don't rtust him

goes out to dinner with him, even.

we don't need another zell

if elected look for him to follow even more dick morris style 'centrist' sell-out advice

[TornadoTN]

25. Obvious Centrist

He is a centrist with little backbone of his own. He tries to hard to tip-toe around the fact that he's a Democrat by running to Fox News and Sean Hannity every chance he can get to pander to their viewership. He takes the prevailing winds of the moment and runs with them.

I even hear many in his home district disatisfied with him because of his lack of backbone and principle.

[UTUSN]

9. Well, If It's Good for Don ANUS, It's Good for Us---------Right? n/t

[paineinthearse]

10. Someone from Tennessee please ask Ford for me

Why he voted AGAINST the Woolsey amendment to HR1815 that would have had * put a timetable in place for troop withdrawal from Iraq.

hmmmmmm??????

[Ugnmoose]

17. Will do - and report back

He was one of the 89 Scritters who signed Conyers letter to White House re Downing Street Memo.

My belief is that if he lived in a Blue State he would have done this. But he has to tread lightly on looking too liberal. Right now his primary goal is to make himself appeal to Middle and East TN voters who don't know him that well and who are primarily Repukes.

[Geek_Girl]

20. Well I'm glad he at least did that

I won't be voting for him in the primaries he's to republican for my liking.

[Ugnmoose]

12. My Congresscritter and proud of him

To know him is to really like him. He is personable, articulate, and very bright. While he has strong liberal roots he has been able to temper that to be more mainstream which is an absolute must if he is going to carry a Red State like Tennessee. I think we will have a real shot to pikc up Frist's seat in 06. Go Harold!

[Radical Activist]

13. I really wish we could find someone better.

He's basically a Republican. One of his greatest hits is saying Bush didn't need the IWR resolution to invade Iraq because Iraq was such a direct threat that Bush could have invaded at any time without Congressional authorization. Tennessee can do better. Has anyone in this thread used the phrase "Uncle Tom" yet?

[Ugnmoose]

18. Not true

It may appear that way but I can assure you he is no Puke. You have to understand the local politics to understand why he appears to have some Puke tendencies. I reported on this in a prior post. It is vitally important that we take Frist's seat in 06 and I believe Harold is best positioned to do it. I think you will see a different Ford if and when he gets to The Senate. But he will never be a true liberal not as long as the South remains Puke Country.

[Radical Activist]

21. I understand that Memphis

is Democratic enough that he could vote and act like a socialist, instead of acting like a Republican, and still get re-elected to his Congressional seat for life.

I understand that running as a populist in Tennessee has more appeal than running as a corporate lackey, which seems to be lost on Mr. Ford.

He votes and acts like a Republican, and local politics doesn't change that fact.

The South will always be Puke country as long as Democrats refuse to be real Democrats or stand up for liberal ideals. Ford doesn't help.

[UTUSN]

15. He's Also Palsy-Walsy with the "Reverend" MOONsie-Poonsie n/t

[MisterP]

16. "Jaaayzus wants us to invade Eyeraqk"

[mitchtv]

19. well, he's better than frist

can't say anything more in his favor

[TornadoTN]

24. Sadly, Im with you

Anybody but Frist.

Howard Ford doesn't do much for me. He is buddy-buddy with Bill Jenkins from East Tennessee, who is so far right he might as well be inside W's ass.

I hope he comes back over to the left a bit, because people are eager for a change (even here in East Tennessee).