National security, economic policy and domestic issues are the reasons the Democratic Party lost its majority in the Senate and key seats in the House according to Congressman Harold Ford.
Ford (D-Memphis) spoke Monday night at the Fogelman Executive Center at The University of Memphis.
Ford, invited by the Department of Communication, spoke at the Inaugural Lecture in the series honoring Dr. John P. Bakke. Bakke, a former chair of the Department of Communication at U of M, worked with Ford during his first campaign in 1996.
“The Democratic party is as vital to the working and proper working function of this country now as it has been in the last 20, 30 or 40 years,” said Ford.
Ford met with some controversy from members of his own party after supporting President Bush’s resolution authorizing the use of military force against Iraq. He said the risks of inaction and delay far outweigh the risks of action.
In his speech last night Ford highlighted the reasons for his support of the President.
“Saddam has stockpiled chemical and biological weapons and is seeking the means to deliver them, if he does not have that capacity now,” said Ford. “He is developing missile delivery systems that could threaten American citizens, service-members and our allies in the region.
“But in today’s world, a sworn enemy of America does not need a missile to deliver weapons of mass destruction. All he needs is a suitcase, a small plane, a cargo ship or a single suicidal terrorist.”
Ford recently ran for Democratic Minority Leader in the House against front-runner Nancy Pelosi(D-San Francisco). Despite losing in that battle, he was successful in raising his profile in and out of Tennessee by appearing on political talk shows to talk about his “clear vision” for his party.
Part of that clear vision involves attacking the president’s tax cuts for the “ultra rich” while proposing his own tax cut for Americans who did not benefit from Bush’s cuts.
“I propose a graduated flat tax that would benefit every working American,” said Ford. “ And perhaps, if the economy does not show signs of a sustained turnaround, a payroll tax holiday should be considered.”
Ford, first elected to congress in 1996, succeeded his father, Harold Ford Sr. who was the first black congressman from Tennessee.
Unlike his father who was a liberal Democrat, Ford has built a reputation as a conservative Democrat who is more willing to compromise with Republicans.
He is the only person in the Congress that is both a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the “Blue Dogs,” a group of moderate-to-conservative Democrats in the House.
To reach Harold Ford, Jr. or staff in Washington, call 202-225-3265, or in Tennessee, call 901-544-4131. World Wide Web: www.house.gov/ford/.
