Harold Ford Threatens GOP Over Fonda-Kerry Photo

NewsMax.com ^ | 2/11/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tenn., who was one of Democratic presidential front-runner John Kerry's earliest backers in Congress, went ballistic Wednesday morning when asked about the photo published Monday by NewsMax.com showing Kerry demonstrating against the Vietnam war with "Hanoi" Jane Fonda.

"Don't bring that up," an angry-sounding Ford told "Fox & Friends" co-host Steve Doocy.

Referring to the controversy over President Bush's military record, Ford threatened to "revive this thing on the National Guard" if questions about Kerry's Jane Fonda connection persist.

The Tennessee Democrat attempted to defend Kerry's decision to team up with Fonda after she adopted his group, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, as her leading cause.

"For someone who went over there and almost gave his life, [Kerry] pretty much can say whatever the heck he wants to say, in my book," he told "Fox & Friends."

But in an audio clip played by top radio host Rush Limbaugh Wednesday afternoon, Ford continued to seethe over the photo picturing his candidate with the Vietnam War traitor.

"If you want to show pictures of him with Jane Fonda and other things, then the president ought to produce all the evidence [about his Guard service]," he railed.

Although it was not clear whether he was speaking for Kerry, Ford offered to cut a deal in a bid to halt discussion over Kerry's relationship with "Hanoi" Jane.

"I'm willing to put all of [Bush's Guard record] aside and not bring any of that up ... but you better do the same with John Kerry," proposed Ford. "It's clear where [Kerry] was [during the early 1970s] And at this moment it's unclear where the president was."

The congressman urged the GOP to keep its focus on the issues that are important to America's future rather than rehashing irrelevant details from Sen. Kerry's past.

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[torchthemummy]

"Which of course is the whole point of this "issue" in the first place. Drag up urban-myth level accusations that are easily disproved, and trade those against Kerry's real, easily documented record. As a fallback position, this will all be "old news" by November."

You took the words right out of my mouth and then rearranged them better than I probably would have. Thanks for saving me the typing.

[Balata]

LOL! "I feel your pain."

[Paul Atreides]

Typical whining corrupt-to-the-core Dim a-hole. When someone brings up their darling's past, suddenly, that is stepping over the line.

[TexasCajun]

That's the picture I've been waiting to see. Thanks for posting it. I'll be passing it along for sure.

[swampfox98]

The congressman urged the GOP to keep its focus on the issues that are important to America's future rather than rehashing irrelevant details from Sen. Kerry's past.

A statement such as that always seems to win with the Republicans. The picture will be destroyed and never brought up again - the Pubs will see to it.

[KingNo155]

What Fords email?, I want to send him the picture!

[MEG33]

Do I dare hope?Metafreeper,hmmmm

[ushr435]

Speaking of AWOL, how about all of those votes John F'ing Kerry is missing in the United States Senate. He is a sitting member of the US Congress...but doesn't feel it's important enough to show up and perform the duties for which he was elected! If he wants to run for the Presidency, he should do the HONORABLE thing and resign from the Senate.

Oh wait...this is John Kerry we're talking about! The man has no honor!

[redrock]

"I may have that picture blown up and stake it in my front yard when the Dem candidate is finally decided."

THAT is one hell of an idea!!!!!

Think I'll do it too.....

redrock

[BlessedByLiberty]

Someone said she's going to be on again tonight on CNN. Don't know which show or time.

[BushisTheMan]

I see Ford in many TV setups of Kerry campaigning. Does he have an official campaign role or is he trying to get a "fast path" to the Vice Presidency by supporting Kerry?

Maybe a new name: Kerry's butt boy?

[KingNo155]

Bump!

[per loin]

Sounds like the little Ford is sucking up to Kerry for a VP spot.

[montag813]

He was sent out by the DNC to try to bluff the Republicans.

Any minute now, Orrin Hatch and Bill Frist will hold a press conference to surrender.

[torchthemummy]

I did a quick search and found these results:

The New Soldier: http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?ac=sl&st=sl&qi=eU2oWPrjDT52fpfYahKFGCjSlkE_0759174967_2:80:102

I don't have the cash but maybe Free Republic could snatch this. If Jim Robinson would do that we should gladly send in money to cover the expense. How about ten of us Freepers?

[Eva]

Wow that's a great photo. I think that you should e-mail it to Harold Ford.

[Pharmboy]

Wow...that's even a better shot. Thanks.

[BunnySlippers]

"For someone who went over there and almost gave his life,

Kerry did not "almost give his life".

[kevkrom]

I reformatted as a letter to the editor:

Thanks to Representative Harold Ford (D-TN) for showing us all what the whole "Bush was AWOL" story is really about. On Wednesday, he said during an interview, "I'm willing to put all of [Bush's Guard record] aside and not bring any of that up ... but you better do the same with John Kerry,", referring to Kerry's activities with Vietnam Veterans Against the War and his association with people like Jane Fonda and Ramsey Clark. The offensive and obvious tactic being used by the Democrats is to drag up accusations that against Bush that are easily disproved (and were in 1994 and 2000), and trade those against Kerry's real, easily documented record. Failing that, Kerry's record will all be "old news" by November. This is partisan politics at its worst.

[mpreston]

Actually I think all Democrats should receive an email with the picturea attached. The message body should read: "Your Screwed!"