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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[Clemenza]

Why should I care what this Derek Jeter lookalike thinks?

[.cnI redruM]

"Don't bring that up," - Or else what. Bush's record is out there. How about Kerry's.

[ErnBatavia]

I saw most of the segment...Harold is, I think, still a little pissed off at his latest bad haircut and was a little edgy.

His spin sounded very unconvincing.

[NavyCaptain]

Be careful about what you ask for! You might get more than you want! Since George has ostensibly released his stuff, the GOP can use the picture.

[Jacquerie]

We hit a nerve. Keep drillin'

[Irene Adler]

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

[Plutarch]

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

This is just great. The Dems do not know that things have changed. They have the internet and Fox to deal with. They cannot declare topics off limits. There charge of "McCarthyism" also rings increasingly hollow. Welcome to 2004 Demo Rats!

[Rivothead]

"Bring it on"

[small voice in the wilderness]

Truth hurts,hmmm, mr. ford?? Better put some ice on it. Fasten your seatbelt, and hang on for dear life. You have hooked up with a LOSER and a LIAR. And it's going to be a particularly brutal ride ahead for you.

[cinFLA]

"It's clear where [Kerry] was [during the early 1970s]

Organizing the radical VVAW.

[MEG33]

I have just lost respect for Ford.Ford "the blackmailer" has been blown out of the water today.I knew this was bogus,they were aware or should have been!The big lie is exposed.The big truth is no one understands the military,much less the Guard.

[Spiff]

"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.

The only evidence that the President needs to produce is his Honorary Discharge. If he had not completed his duty requirements he would not have been given the Honorary Discharge. If he was AWOL then his commanders would have brought him up on those charges - they did not. This is just somebody's stupid agenda to damage Bush. Anyone who doesn't realize just how utterly stupid the AWOL charges actually are is also stupid. However, do not underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups (ie. the Democrat Party and Democrat voters). That is what these stupid charges are all about.

[cripplecreek]

In a word "typical".

[k2blader]

I *had* thought Ford had promise.

Ah well...

[reelfoot]

Harold Ford is a sleazy, corrupt member of the sleazy, corrupt Memphis Ford family. If his mouth is moving, he's lying.

[WHBates]

No, I think it should continue. They better figure out that whatever it was then, lots of the current fighting force is made up of guard contingents.

[international american]

Who is Harold Ford??