My LTE- Ford A Message of Hope

[pf99]

Sent to Johnson City Press and Greeneville Sun

A Message of Hope

On Saturday August 5, 2006 the Tri-Cities was blessed with a visit from Congressman and United State Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. I have had the opportunity to see Harold Ford Jr. on a number of occasions but this visit was very special to me as I brought my 16 year old step daughter and 5 year old granddaughter. We all very much enjoyed meeting Congressman Ford before we began our school shopping.

My father was a second generation and my mother was third generation Americans. They worked hard and played by the rules. I was the first in my family to graduate from college. I am living the “America Dream” that my parents and grandparents had envisioned.

However, my vision of the “American Dream” for my step daughter and granddaughter is dying. We are bogged down in Iraq with no end in site. We have debt for “as far as the eye can see” and college tuition prices spiraling out of control. To make matter worst we have ideologues who believe that their way is the only way, in control of our government.

You can see their work in this US Senate campaign as the RNC says Harold Ford Jr. is out of the mainstream. HOW DARE THEY TELL US HOW TO THINK! Only after careful thought and study, will we the voter of Tennessee make that decision.

The message of hope that Congressman Ford brought to the Tri-Cities on that Saturday afternoon was a simple one. He will provide the leadership that this country is so hungry for and, make government work for ALL Americans. So that my 16 year old stepdaughter, my 5 year old granddaughter, all children throughout this Great State of Tennessee and all over this great country have the opportunity to achieve the “American Dream”.

I hope all voters in the Tri-Cites will be able to meet with Congressman Ford and hear his message of hope and talk to him in person. He is a great man and will be an outstanding United State Senator!

God bless the Great State of Tennessee especially its children as we elect a new United State Senator.

Phil
Greeneville, TN

[dbackjon]

1. Make Government work for all Straight Americans

I'll vote for Ford, but HE SUCKS AT CIVIL RIGHTS.

[4_TN_TITANS]

2. Me too.... I'll vote for him,

but I'll be holding my nose while doing it. Forgotten which, either Time or Newsweek, but there was a nice long article about Ford describing everything he has in common with the Repigs. It was not pleasant to see so many similarities listed in one short paragraph.

Focus on getting the Senate majority gang!!!

[foxeyes2]

3. Just can't do it

I wish that I could vote for Ford I really do. He is young, intelligent, and charasmatic. But his stance on so many issues is so very wrong. The article the previous poster cites confirmed that for me. I know I know he may be the lesser of the two evils but evil is evil and I can no longer cast my ballot for someone who would support my oppression. Why should I be relegated to second class citizenship? I work hard, pay my taxes, abide by the laws of the land, am a good neighbor, and a good American yet I am not equal in the eyes of the law and Ford backs up those laws. My father served in WWII, a brother served in the Navy, they gave of themselves to protect our freedoms and how can I justify to them or myself my vote for fewer freedoms? My vote is sacred and I can not and I will not cast it away on anyone of any party who does not deserve it's honor.

[H2O]

4. Don't let Corker win

We lose if he gets in office and we will have "more of the same"

[pf99]

5. Agree your vote is sacred...

but so is your non vote also.

Either Harold Ford Jr. or Bob Corker will be our next Senator.

In Tennessee we need EVERY democrat's vote. (OK this is my opinion but those democrats that stay may be casting a vote for Bob Corker).

Remember back in 2000 when Ralph Nader tried to convince progressives that there was no difference between George W. Bush and Al Gore?

Hope you will reconsider.

Thanks
pf99

[tnlefty]

7. i agree that every democrat's vote is needed, but unfortunately it's not

gonna happen. There are older democrats in my community who have been actively supporting (financially, etc.) Corker. Two of the larger unions are supporting Corker. Ford isn't my favorite, but I don't understand these folks' support for Corker. I've been shaking my head a lot over this for the past 2 yrs. or so.

BTW, I liked your letter.

[pf99]

6. It was published in the Greeneville Sun

Got a comment from a friend in my church congregation that it was an excellent article.

I am hoping this will encourage people in East TN who are "programed" to vote republican to now vote democrat, or at least look at the positions of the democrat.

[TornadoTN]

8. Excellent point, but something is very wrong

I enjoyed your letter and it is straight to the point. All Democrats need to come together and examine our shared interests with those of the two candidates. I believe it is abundantly clear that Harold Ford, Jr, while he may not be the most preferable candidate, is certainly the best choice between the two. Make no mistake about it, Tennessee still has some very traditional, conservative roots which make any race in the state a tough one (especially in the eastern part of the state). Harold Ford, Jr. reaches across the party lines and is charismatic enough to sway the middle-of-the-road voter. Are his stances on some issues what I want? Most certainly not, but he will give our state a much needed change in direction from the current pair of idiots and enablers that now represent our state.

Having said that, I believe the Ford Campaign needs to reexamine how they are treating East Tennessee. Sure, Harold himself is making visits which is a great thing, but the people they have running the campaign offices in East Tennessee (most notably Johnson City) are completey inept at running any sort of political campaign. Calls go unanswered, e-mails not returned. I have tried to volunteer since early May, but have always been rebuffed at every corner from the campaign staff in JC that seem to be more interested in fluffing a resume than making any concerted effort to involve the community in campaigning for Rep. Ford. I have requested yard signs for several pieces of property I own in high profile locations around the area, but have yet to hear anything back about it. I know of several people who have been trying to get bumper stickers but cannot find the campaign HQ, then if they are lucky enough to find it, it is closed with no notice of return. If Harold Ford, Jr. is serious about this campaign, which I have no doubt he is, something needs to be done about the staff here in East Tennessee. They are turning more people away than they actually get in.

[pf99]

9. FYI there is a new East TN field director

Left you private message.

Get in touch with me, we need your help.