(Harold) Ford: Democrat can win in the Old South

[sabra]

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/article_1215931.php/Ford_Democrat_can_win_in_the_Old_South

Ford: Democrat can win in the Old South

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tenn., running for the seat being vacated by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, rejects the idea a Democrat can`t win in the South.

Ford appeared on 'Fox News Sunday.' If elected next month, he would be the first black senator from the South since Reconstruction.

Program host Chris Wallace told Ford poll averages show he is a couple of points behind Rep. Bob Corker, R-Tenn.

'You voted for the Iraq war,' Wallace said. 'You`re pro-life. You voted to ban gay marriage and flag burning. If a Democrat who votes as a conservative on guns, gays and God can`t win this year in Tennessee, does any Democrat ever (have a ) chance in a red Southern state?'

...

'One of the reasons we believe and feel so confident about our chances here -- and don`t get me wrong, we can`t let up these last 10 days -- we feel confident because you can feel and sense the momentum all across the state,' Ford said.

[saltpoint]

1. I'm for Dems flipping the Senate so I'm strongly for Ford in Tennessee.

I'm also against Corker.

And Mehlman.

And Rove -- or whoever else was involved in that ad.

It's racist crap any way you stack it.

Go, Harold. Put it to the party of lizards.

[wellst0nev0ter]

2. No. No More Yellow Dog, Blue Dog, Or Any Dog Democrats

They were the ones who enabled the loss of Congress in the first place. They were pretty useless back then, and they will be useless now.

[William769]

7. As to what we have now?

[wellst0nev0ter]

24. So We Should Go Back To The Time When We Had A Tenuous Coalition

between pro-lynching racist Southern Democrats and Northern liberal Democrats when we stand for everything and nothing? Face it, Democrats are better off when they purged themselves of the Communists and the racists. We can either be a party of "Me Too" Republicans, or we can stand up for sensible ethical principles.

[CookieD]

30. So let me get this straight ...

Harold Ford is a 'pro-lynching racist Southern Democrat'??

Paul Wellstone would be ashamed of that kind of rhetoric. :-(

[Tiggeroshii]

35. lol

Can we see the irony of it all? People aren't qquite getting how substantial a black senator being elected in Tennessee is. If he wins as a black man, it shows very strongly that our country has shown substantial progress since reconstruction and will continue to move forward in the days ahead.

[Andrew_Lindsey]

38. LOL! Thank you! n/t

[wellst0nev0ter]

41. His Bigotry Against Gays Echoes That Type Of Thinking

I don't care if the guy is white, black or Martian. Bigotry is bigotry and I'm surprised that you would stand for it.

[William769]

31. It's a message like that is why Democrats are a minority.

:eyes:

[wellst0nev0ter]

42. So Equivocating And Playing Patty-Cake With Reich-wingers

gave us control of the government these past six years? Gee, I haven't noticed :eyes:

[iamjoy]

9. Why Can't We Be A Big Tent Party?

I understand the "selling out of values" argument, sometimes it troubles me to see so support for Democrats who are anti-choice and opposed to civil rights for ALL Americans. I don't think being Republican-Lite is the path to victory.

However, if a Democrat really believes that abortion is wrong or we shouldn't burn the flag, why can't we welcome that person? Do we have a litmus test (or several litmus tests) and if some one gives the wrong answer we don't support them? I don't think being rigid and inflexible or demanding of perfection is the way to win either.

The Republicans hold together a variety of coalitions, they have the neo-cons, the libertarians and the fundamentalists. Each faction has beefs with the other, but they pull together to win. Why can't we do the same? OF course, we now see that starting to splinter, but will it coalesce again and keep them in the majority?

There is no perfect candidate, but it is not compromising your values or "choosing the lesser of two evils" to vote for the one that fits most of your criteria, but differs on a few issues, even major ones.

[VegasWolf]

15. You can be as big a tent as you want. The Democrat Party is not

the liberal party when it supports the governments right to choose what it does with a womans body and supports Bush's oil war in Iraq. As a liberal, I will never vote for an anti-abortion, pro-war candidate. Therefore, there are many Democrats that I will never vote for.

Go ahead, let the Democratic Party be as big a party as it wants.

[iamjoy]

37. Good For You

no, seriously. Good.

But, why can't the Democrats in Tennessee decide for themselves if Ford's views are acceptable?

Who are we to say he's not a good enough Democrat.

[Andrew_Lindsey]

39. Exactly...

An Iowan Democrat by-and-large will not vote exactly like a California Democrat, and Alabama Democrat, or a Virginian Democrat...

But we can all be Democrats, and at our core anyway, agree on a lot of the same things.

[wellst0nev0ter]

25. Sure, They Are Free To Uphold Any Belief They Want

Just like I'm free to tell them to go jump in a lake.

A "big tent" is just a term used to consolidate power. Then a particular ideology hijacks the rest of the party. Where were all the moderate Republicans during all the social and foreign policy debates we had?

Exactly, they were shut up and shut out.

At least people like Harold Ford will have an opportunity to try to convince us why his views have merit, but if he fails, then he will just have to fall in line or go home. I will simply not accept conservative Democrats who will likely be Republican appeasers without challenge anymore.

[goclark]

33. Can't we please be a BIG TENT until AFTER this election?

I'm with you all the way!

I would rather have Harold Ford speak for me and vote for those issues that I hold dear than a RepubliCON.


Go Harold

[Rebellious Republican]

12. wellst0nev0ter, you may misunderstand the term......

I live in the south, it is actually becoming a rallying call down here. It just gives something nostalgic (psychological) to rally behind. The good Ole days, when Democrats were in charge. Its no different than "Happy Days Are Here Again". Let me give you an example of how certain terms used can mean different things to different people.

If I referred to you as a "Cracker", what would your reaction be?

In most parts of the country, people automatically think of a derogatory term used by black people to insult white people.

However, down here in Florida the term "Cracker" is said to have come from the old cattle driving days. The cowboys would drive the herds by using a very long whip to create a sound as loud as a shotgun. They would do this by cracking there whips, hence the name Florida Cracker.


I live in Florida, native Floridians are and like being referred to as "Crackers", it means that their family roots go back generations in Florida history. This is a source of pride for them, and is taken as a compliment.

Hope that sheds some light on the term.

:hi:

[VegasWolf]

13. Well, as a native Floridian, I know damn well what cracker means.

I would never prefer the appelation applied to myself, and it never would, since I am smart, educated, and have all of my teeth. However, there a bunch of rednecks in Florida, particularly in the pan handle region, and north of I4 for whom the appelation fits nicely.

[Rebellious Republican]

26. I stand corrected, maybe this will help.........

This may may explain your response, sounds like you come from Northern Florida, I live in central Florida, again a very good example of the same term with different meanings, even in relatively close proximity.

snip>If Dana Ste. Claire gets his way, a new exhibit at the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences will help lift those connotations from the people known as Florida Crackers.<snip

Snip>There are three main theories about how the word developed. But none of the three conclusively show how and why the Cracker became applied to Floridians.

Theory One: Cracker comes from a Celtic word meaning braggart or loudmouth. Shakespeare used this sense of the word in King John. But the theory doesn’t explain why the word in this sense would be applied to the usually taciturn folk of the Florida backwoods.

Theory Two: The word comes from the practice of "corncracking" or grinding dried corn for use as grits and meal, as in the lyrics of the folk song Blue Tailed Fly, "Jimmy crack corn." When used in this sense, a Cracker is somebody who can’t afford any other food. But this theory doesn’t answer the question of how the word got applied almost exclusively to folks in rural areas of south Georgia and Florida. And, by the 1800s, the name "Cracker" wasn’t used to describe only impoverished settlers.

Theory three: The name comes from the sound of whips used to drive cattle and oxen. Florida cattlemen cracked whips to flush their stock out of the palmetto scrub while settlers used whips to spur on oxen that pulled their carts and wagons. Cracker has been used in this sense since the early 1800s. This is the most popular theory today. But it doesn’t explain why people were being called Crackers for centuries before Florida cattlemen began working in the scrub lands.

Different areas of the state embrace different theories. For example, the corncracker theory prevails in the Panhandle and along the Georgia border. In those areas, Cracker is considered an insult.

Meanwhile, the whip cracker theory is popular in Central Florida. Cattle raisers in particular are proud to identify themselves as Crackers.<snip
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~fcc/main/what's_a_cracker.htm

My apologies sir, I stand corrected!
:toast:

[VegasWolf]

32. Interesting!

I was raised on the central Florida Gulf Coast and lived around the state, particularly down in the Fort Lauderdale area. I left Florida some 30 years ago, but still return often as my entire family lives there. They are conservative Republicans and hate it when I call them crackers! I have never thought about the root derivation of the word, in the common usage that I have always heard the word was synonymous with redneck. Florida is the only state in the south that I have ever heard the word cracker applied to people.

Good luck to you, Florida has certainly changed! I remember when Busch Blvd. in Tampa was a 2 lane road!

:toast:

[wellst0nev0ter]

23. Democrats Are Better Off Without The Ol' Boy Southern Dems

Why do you think Southern Democrats suddenly switch to Republicans? They all became wealthy?

The reason I admire the Jimmy Carter and the late Governor Anne Richards is that she is the rejection of the type of good ole boys and bigots that used to plague the Southern half of the party. Lyndon Johnson knew exactly what he was doing to the party once he signed the Civil Rights Act.

If bigots like Harold Ford is going to poulate the party once again, then I want out. I'm dead serious.

BTW, if you call me "cracker", I'd look at you with a blank stare since I am black last time I checked ;)

[Rebellious Republican]

28. I see what you are saying, I do believe that with the right leadership

we as a party can overcome some of those differances. I guess I do not have a very good comprehension of the Harold Ford thing, again, because of where I live. Here in Florida Jim Davis has chosen Daryl Jones as his candidate for Lt. Governor. Which many, as I do also, feel it is long over due. There have been no "race" card accusations being hurled about. For good reason, you have to know Daryl's background to understand. He is a spectactler human being and brings a wonderful resume to the table. I believe he will be a dynamic force in changing the face of the party here in Florida. I have high hopes for our chances here in Florida. You can read about his excellent credentials at this link....http://www.jimdavis2006.com/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=genericContent&htmlKey=jones



"BTW, if you call me "cracker", I'd look at you with a blank stare since I am black last time I checked"
This is what I love about the internet, we can talk with one another as human beings, without the BS of race or physical appearance geting in the way. Thanks for sharing your point of view, discussion is the only way we will ever make positive changes.
:toast:

[wellst0nev0ter]

44. Thank You Back

Hopefully my acrimonious behavior didn't get in the way of a substantive discussion :)

[KamaAina]

36. Bigots like Harold Ford?

Ouch. And to think I thought it was Corker and the repukes who were the bigots, seeing as how they're the ones running all the racist ads with the white woman winking, and the tom-tom drums in the background, and whatnot. :eyes:

I suppose a vote against gay marriage could be construed as bigotry, but Ford, should he win, would hardly be the only Senate Dem in that category.

[wellst0nev0ter]

43. Yes. Bigot's Like Harold Ford.

I don't care if his opponent makes a minstrel show during the campaign. It doesn't change the fact that Harold Ford is a bigot.

[madfloridian]

3. I have more to say on that after the election.

It will have to do with selling out constituents in order to win.

Not now.

[madfloridian]

4. I have more to say on that after the election.

It will have to do with selling out constituents in order to win.

Not now.

[retread]

34. How then do we begin to explain Bill Nelson's votes? My Democratic congressman

here in north Florida voted for the torture bill and he is running unopposed!!!

[Skip Intro]

5. He really shined in that last debate with Corker

That was the first time I'd ever heard him speak. Corker came off as a wannabe, repeating lines that Ford had just used. Corker came off shaky, and unprepared. Ford was thoughtful and powerful, imho. I didn't agree with everything he had to say, but every time Corker complained about current circumstances, Ford was quick to reply that the House and Senate had been in republican control for years, and that it was time for a change. Powerful message, I think. That two point poll referred to was before that debate. I'd like to see a new poll from TN.

[NOLADEM]

6. As long as he is an anti-choice DINO phony like yourself Mr Ford?

I don't like this man.

I hope he wins for the sake of the country and the control of Congress, but he is worthless beyond that to me.

[Ethelk2044]

8. Ford

I hope Ford wins.  The Tennessee blog states they have been
very busy with trying to get out the vote.  One user has
stated the phones have been ringing off the hook trying to get
rides to the polls.  The seems to be going in his favor.

[SharonAnn]

47. Yes, I got a "call" from Bill Clinton yesterday. I listened to the whole

thing, it was just so good to hear his voice.

I'd already voted and I'm Election Officer next Tuesday to make sure that all is run "fair and square".

Sigh, it would be wonderful to have a Democratic Senate. Even though I wish he could be more liberal and still get elected, I know that if he was more liberal he couldn't get elected here at this time.

[msongs]

10. can we quarantine him if he is elected? nt

[MasonJar]

11. Cross your fingers, pray loads and loads, etc., etc. A friend of

mine spoke to a really good friend of his in Tennessee, and the friend (both of these guys are big Dems by the way) told my friend that the state of Tennessee will not elect a black to the Senate. I hope he is wrong, but if not, we must keep pouring it on Corker.

[luckyleftyme2]

14. IT'S TIME

Get the vote out tennessee, it's time to go blue and win the senate!
GO DEMOCRATS !

[Tippy]

18. Let me tell you we sure are trying.....

Even had our headquarters open this afternoon...Several people came by we even had a few out canvesing today...we have many phone banking and we have a lot just droppying by to see if there is something they can do....

[Warren Stupidity]

16. Tennessee: no exactly the Old South.

Other than that the story is crap. Anyhow I hope Ford wins as we need all the Ds we can get, but he makes me sick.

[peacebuzzard]

17. I held my nose and voted for Ford yesterday

since I will be out of town on the 7th.
We NEED this state to go Dem.....

[Claire Beth]

45. I voted for Ford ....

last week!

Go FORD!!!


:dem:

[bemildred]

19. Democrats used to OWN the South.

Feasibility is not the issue.

[SharonAnn]

21. Southern Democrats used to be racists

[bemildred]

22. True, but at that time racism was hardly confined to the South.

The Republicans took over the racist vote from us. That does not mean they own the South.

[cali]

27. No, the proof that they have a franchise in the

South is voting trends over the past 3 decades, but the truth is they do have a pretty good lock on the South, and we need to break it.

[bemildred]

29. Gerrymandering can be wonderfully effective, over time.

Especially when combined with propaganda and "vote management" techniques.

[lcordero2]

20. Instead of

corporate rubberstamp republicans, we are going to have corporate rubberstamp democrats?

[leslieb310]

40. Latest Polls on the Tennessee Senate Race?

Where are recent polls (like in the last 5 days) on this race? Seems it would be important to see the effect that 'the ad' had on the numbers.

[Ethelk2044]

46. Polls

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/latestpolls/


Tuesday, October 31 
Race Poll Period Sample Results Spread 
Tennessee Senate Race Rasmussen 10/30 - 10/30 500 LV Corker
(R) 49% , Ford (D) 47% Corker +2.0% 
Maine Governor Race Rasmussen 10/29 - 10/29 500 LV Woodcock
(R) 31% , Baldacci (D) 45% Baldacci +14.0% 
Missouri Senate Race Rasmussen 10/29 - 10/29 500 LV Talent (R)
47% , McCaskill (D) 48% McCaskill +1.0% 
Missouri Senate Race SurveyUSA 10/28 - 10/30 525 LV Talent (R)
46% , McCaskill (D) 49% McCaskill +3.0% 

[w4rma]

48. There was a black Senator in the South before Reconstruction?

I think that Sen. Ford would be the first Southern black Senator in the history of the United States.