Posted on 12/20/2005 3:39:13 AM PST by mcg2000
Some See Kin as Baggage, But Attacking May Backfire
Of all the obstacles facing Rep. Harold Ford Jr. in his race for Senate, the most vexing might be his large, complicated and controversial family.
The latest incident involves Ford's father, former representative Harold Ford Sr., who last week alleged that voting irregularities in a state Senate race featuring his sister were engineered by Republicans in an effort to discredit his son.
On Monday, Ford Jr. said he did not share those views, nor has he discussed them with his father.
"That's my father's opinion," he said. "We talk every day but we really haven't gotten into that."
Emphasizing that his family had nothing to do with the votes cast in the names of two dead people, Ford Jr. said an investigation was nonetheless warranted.
"I do believe that these allegations are serious," he said. "If people are manufacturing votes, I want to know about it. If dead people are voting, it could affect the outcome of my race."
Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Bob Davis denies Ford Sr.'s charges and said the accusations will only harm Ford Jr.
"Congressman Ford (senior) has a history of making irresponsible statements," said Davis.
"What I do know is that every time he opens his mouth is 100 less votes for his son."
The controversy arose out of the tightly contested special election Sept. 15 between Ophelia Ford and Terry Roland to replace John Ford, Ford Sr.'s brother. John Ford was indicted in the "Tennessee Waltz" sting just days after Ford Jr. announced his Senate bid.
Ophelia Ford won the election by 13 votes, but the results are being examined by a special state Senate committee.
An investigation by The Commercial Appeal revealed that votes were cast in precinct 27-1 in the names of two elderly voters who died weeks before the election. Ford Sr. said that was the work of a Republican poll worker, Martha Hensley, to frame Ophelia Ford.
"It's nothing but Harold's race," Ford Sr. said Friday. "That's what this is all about."
Hensley called the charges false and slanderous.
It's unclear if Ford Jr. is damaged by the allegations of his aunt committing voter fraud or by his father's accusations.
Davis said any tumult involving Ford's family will stick to the candidate.
"It's a pattern for people to think about," Davis said. "What we're going to be doing (in the campaign) is talking about the congressman's record, but you can't help but think about it. At the end of the day, people are going to be thinking about whether Harold Ford Jr. is like his father or (uncle and convicted tax evader) Emmitt or Ophelia."
But State Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke said that while the Ford name might have certain connotations, Ford Jr. is dispelling them with his vigorous campaigning across the state.
Attempts to link Ford Jr. to his family could backfire, Tuke said.
"Tennessee voters will be offended if (the Republicans) try to visit upon one the perceived sins of his family," Tuke said. "Tennesseans don't go in for that."
In general, Ford Jr. has been reasonably successful at distancing himself from the embarrassing elements of his family, said Middle Tennessee State political science professor John Vile.
The latest flap "is hardly anything new," he said. "He's probably in a better position than anyone else who has to deal with it."
And while the Ford name carries with it some baggage, it helped him get elected in the first place, Vile said.
"He's profited from it and the downside is that you're sometimes hurt by it as well."
-- Oliver Staley: 529-6515
Here are the potential candidates for the 9th CD according to Politics1.com (I placed an asterisk before those who have not declared their intentions to run). Joe Ford ( http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/FirstPortal/dotShowDoc/dotContent/Government/ShelbyCountyCommission/joeford.htm
), who is listed as Harold Jr.'s brother but whom I think must be his cousin (DJ, would you know?), is an undeclared, potential candidate.
*Calvin Anderson (D) - Insurance Company Executive
*D'Army Bailey (D) - Circuit Court Judge, Ex-Berkeley (Cal.) City Councilman & Civil Rights Activist
*Steve Cohen (D) - State Sen., Ex-Shelby County Commissioner & Attorney
Laura Davis (D) - '05 State Sen. Candidate
*Joe Ford (D) - Shelby County Commissioner, Funeral Home Owner & Brother of US Rep. Ford
Lee Harris (D) - Law School Professor, Attorney & Community Activist
*Myron Lowery (D) - Mephis City Councilman, DNC Member & Ex-TV News Reporter
*Herman Morris Jr. (D) - Ex-Memphis Light Gas & Water Company President
*Tyson Pratcher (D) - Congressional Aide
Ron Redwing (D) - Ex-Memphis Mayoral Aide & Political Consultant
Ed Stanton (D) - Attorney
Nikki Tinker (D) - Attorney & Ex-Congressional Aide
John Farmer (R) - Quality Control Engineer & '05 State Sen. Candidate
http://www.politics1.com/tn.htm
Yeah, look at McCain.
More than likely. I've not seen the field of RATS running yet, then again I've not been keeping a eye on The Commie Appeal much either. I've got a new job and am dating nearly every night lately and that is the important thing in my life right now.
One of the reasons they probably love him is that he's a member of the "Blue Dog Coalition". Those dems tend to vote fairly moderate positions (for dems), and also tend to be somewhat of fiscal conservatives - they may not vote for huge tax cuts, but they tend to be deficit hawks... meaning that they care more about a balanced budget than 90% of the Republicans in Congress today....
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