Centrist Dem Leader Slams GOP "Hypocrisy"

Harold Ford Jr. Says Republicans Don't Practice What They Preach

(The Politico)  By The Politico's Mike Allen

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The new head of the leading group of centrist Democrats lashed out Wednesday at what he called the "hypocrisy" of Republicans who overdo their talk about religion.

Harold Ford Jr., the charismatic Tennessee congressman who lost a nasty Senate race last year, on Thursday was named chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council, the party's most influential centrist group.

Ford made his debut at the Christian Science Monitor breakfast, a Washington institution for reporters. Once called the Sperling Breakfast, after founder Godfrey Sperling, the breakfasts — which started in 1966 — are a chance for politicians to float ideas and field questions in a relaxed atmosphere.

But business gets done: Everything is on the record. And Ford did not disappoint the sleepy-headed journalists, offering a passionate response when asked about the role of faith in politics. During the question-and-answer period, Ford said candidates should not hesitate to discuss the role religion plays in shaping their positions. But he added that faith "is often used by some to beat up on or whip up on others, and the Bible that I read doesn't suggest that you do that."

"God works in mysterious ways," Ford said. "Some of the nomenclature and jargon that's used by those who invoke faith regularly - compared with some of their actions and behavior and conduct - I think has raised concerns on the part of many that maybe those who preach it the most aren't practicing the most. I pray for all of them, and would hope that they'd be able to find some healing and wholeness in their lives, but that they would also see that maybe they should reflect a little before they go lashing out and attacking others. I think voters get it, too. The hypocrisy on the part of some was so interesting in this last election."

In November, Ford, age 36, lost by 51 percent to 48 percent to Republican Bob Corker, but told the breakfast several times that he plans to run again. "Between political jobs?" he joked when DLC founder Al From noted that an earlier chairman was Charles S. Robb after he was Virginia governor and before he was a U.S. senator.

Ford succeeds Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who's heading off to run for president. His other predecessors include former President Bill Clinton, Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana and Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut.

Ford was presented at the breakfast by From as a rising star who will help the group develop a new generation of leaders to pursue the group's pro-growth, pro-defense policies. "We will be aggressive. The agenda will be ambitious," Ford said. "We certainly anticipate the conversation attracting the leading minds in our party, the leading candidates in our party."

During the question period, Ford recalled Steven Thomma, chief political correspondent for McClatchy Newspapers, from a catfish restaurant on the Tennessee campaign trail toward the end of the campaign, and joked that the reporter almost couldn't ask his question because he was eating coleslaw. "When I left that, I thought you were going to win," the reporter said.

"So did I," Ford said, to big laughter.

"What happened?" Thomma asked.

Ford didn't seem interested in a detailed autopsy. "It's over with - we didn't win," he said. "We ran a hard campaign. A lot of things happened right there at the end of the race. I don't mean to be flippant about your question. I've sat down at looked at the numbers, and I know I want to do it again one day. In my state, it takes a few times to run - sometimes one or two times to run before you win."

Then he spoke about the oft-discussed phenomenon of black candidates, including former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, who do better in polls than they do at the ballot box, apparently because white respondents say they're going to vote for an African American and then don't. "One thing that was very interesting in the last week were the polls that came out showing us down double digits, which we never were, and I think that probably played a little bit of role in sapping a little bit of the momentum," Ford said. "People kept calling it a 'Wilder tax.' … I assume it means if you're a black guy, you've got to be way ahead because you're going to lose votes on Election Day. Well, the opposite happened here, according to the polls. We actually gained, and came within 49,000 votes of winning. … We'll run again, one day."

Ford made it clear that he still resents some tactics of Republicans. Asked what he had learned about race in the contest, and what advice he would have for Sen. Barack Obama in his presidential race, Ford replied: "Run hard and be honest and put it in the voters' hands. That's all you can do." He also said: "This stuff on race, you'd probably need to ask my opponent."

One Republican ad taunted Ford for his attendance at a Playboy magazine party at the 2005 Super Bowl. Over eggs and sausage on Thursday, Ford reprised one of the greatest lines from the whole '06 campaign cycle: "I made clear: I love Jesus. I love girls. And I absolutely love football."

[plowhandle]

If you were paying attention during the filthy campaign, you'd remember Ford's opponent used every rotten Republiscum trick in the book - including the race card - to steal the election, as the Republishit Party specializes in. Quoted the bible when appropriate or not - just for the hypnotic effect it has on the cross-eyed Baptist inbreds of Tennessee.

The South isn't ready for the 21st Century - they long for the days of whippin's and slavery. The ignorant Crackers-In-Charge have to have someone below them they can master over, and blacks will continue to fill this bill.

Call them Republicrap.

[vincan-2009]

Harold Ford is great! I like his plain speaking (the truth). We have been lied to by the republicans so much it is shocking. The Democrats are a breath of fresh air because they are real and care about people and the truth. They are not perfect, but I consider them the hope of our country. They are not the back stabbing lying war mongering chicken hawk crooks who want to go to war with the whole middle east (for the oil).

[randalds]

Posted by FARTKNOCKER2 at 05:09 PM : Jan 26, 2007

With a name like this (probably his real one at that) he has to be a troll.

[randalds]

Janem4; when you going to pick up your stuff you left in my appartment?
Posted by bluestardad at 06:40 AM : Jan 27, 2007

Oh come now bluestar, surely you could do better then a republican! Cold as ice everyone of them!

[bellal-2009]

Is he running for president too?

[bluestardad]

OK here is your chance, don%u2019t just set in front of your computer and complain spouting meaningless rants of sludge, do something about it! This is the contact address for your Senator! Send them a message of your opinion. All Class Two Senators are up for Reelection in 2008. Be respectful even if they do not deserve it because their office does! http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[bluestardad]

Janem4; when you going to pick up your stuff you left in my appartment?

[bluestardad]

It is common knowledge that these Iraqi units are infiltrated by all types of Insurgents, Terrorist, and Execution Death Squads members of Both Religions. Those people who support this Surge of Troops in Iraq are forcing American Soldiers to sleep with the enemy in small units exposing them to undue kidnap threat. Americans soldiers who are captured by these enemies are without mercy, tortured and mutilated beyond recognition by their captors. Still our political leadership are planning to send these Brave Men and Women in to this environment. If American proceeds with this deployment and breaks down small American Units to live and work with these Iraqi Death Squad Units our troops will be kidnapped and handed over to such beheadings, torture and captivity as has never been seen before on Cable, Internet, and National Television. If you support this surge in troops and the tactics it brings you are responsible for every one of these deaths.

[lukebize]

"[...] the most horrific type of racism is to tell an entire population that they CAN'T do well for themselves and that they need the government to take care of them."

Posted by janem4 at 08:32 PM : Jan 26, 2007

Oh, you mean like Halliburton and subsidiaries?

[Syndicate]

Which bible does he read? The one I've seen is a very violent book.

[huskerarmy]

Jane, You miss the point. Stump speeches in church are an American tradition for both sides of the isle. It's teh bible thumping, holier than thou, God's on our side, exploitation that bothers people. And yes there are still some places where you can rally the conservative base by stiring up racist emotions. Racism can be subtle, yet insidious. And yes there are still Americans who are victimized by racism. And honestly, I do wish righties would stop giving victims such a bad wrap.

[frankly6]

FARTKNOCKER2

Are you a Christian?

[randalds]

"Hey Fat Boy (HUSKYARMY)"
"...in your case your head up one.."

OoooKkkk... Nice rebuttal. I'm embarassed.

Posted by huskerarmy at 03:55 PM : Jan 26, 2007


LOL! They do get childish don't they? Still look at their fearless leader. Can't can't much more childish then Bush.

[huskerarmy]

"Hey Fat Boy (HUSKYARMY)"
"...in your case your head up one.."

OoooKkkk... Nice rebuttal. I'm embarassed.

[gray_owl_55]

Fords' main premis, the "hypocrisy" of Republicans who overdo their talk about religion, is correct. The GOP has misused christianity for political purposes. I was taught that being a Christian meant "to be Christ like". The GOP's philosophy is based on fear, hatred and intolerance wraped in a "family values" package. None of which is Christ like. Regardless of your political, ethnic or social label if you consider yourself a christian, and you embrace the GOP philosophy, you should ask yourself are these Christ like principles?

[random_radar]

"I agree. I would like to think that Jesus would even respect my right to be an atheist.
Posted by RandalDS at 02:01 PM : Jan 26, 2007"

Absolutely. God is anxious for everyone to be free to believe and act as they choose.

The necessary by-product is evil in the world. A perfect world is not compatible with free will.

I am always amused by the pietists and pagans who want to force everyone to do what they believe is right. If everyone worried their own actions, we would all be much happier.

[huskerarmy]

Correction: Plutonium in Niger, WMD's in Iraq?

[randalds]

Surprised singinrick hasn't popped up here by now.
Posted by shingles1 at 01:53 PM : Jan 26, 2007

Actually he's in another part of the website commenting there. Just like syhphilis or smallpox he just keeps coming back to spread his infection again and again. Maybe if we pray he'll die off?

[huskerarmy]

preceptions,

Does the word semantics mean anything to you? If he had said "no because she's a woman and I disagree with her on philosophical and policy standpoint," would he not be saying that she wouldn't make a good president because she's a woman and...? WMD's in Niger? Righties are not the ones to talk about honesty.

[perception5]

kphx , what you wrote is a LIE. I watched CNN (Clinton News Network) and this is what came out of our VP's mouth. "No,because, she is a democrat and I don't agree with her from a philosophical and policy standpoint".

Maybe CNN edited that out when they went to print ..........or maybe you left it out of your comments on purpose......
Why can't liberals tell the truth??????