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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[I'm ALL Right!]

Well, the news people can stop talking about it, but that doesn't stop us from E-MAIL BLASTING THIS PICTURE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. Right?

[netmilsmom]

Ask Metafreeper if the e-bay buyer is the same as ours.
(I just did a search and found the name)

[torchthemummy]

That ROCKS! Not only does it prove that a copy exists but he apparently signed it thus, in essence, reasserting the opinions written within.

[Cloud William]

I watched this segment, and got the clear idea of what Ford was implying. Drop the post-Vietnam Kerry stuff, and the Dems will drop the NG charges...Those Dems are really something!

Yep. It was really stupid for them to start this in the first place. I guess they have no idea just how many registered voters are current or former guard members. This Democrat scheme risks alienating *lots* of people. The number of people who are ardent defenders of the Vietnam era anti-war movement must pale in comparison.

All they have is empty speculation, based on a profound ignorance of how the military - and especially the guard - operates. We, on the other hand, have truckloads of ammo provided by Kerry himself. When this is over, Ford - and others like him, might well be screaming: "We Should've Stuck With Dean!! "YEEEAAAAUUGH!!"

[BlessedByLiberty]

Just found this on CNN website and posted on antoher thread - thought youd' be interested.
From CNN website: wolf blhttp://www.cnn.com/2004/US/02/11/wbr.kerry.image/index.htmlitzed


Jane Fonda spoke for herself, telling CNN:

"My reaction is that the American people have had it with the big lie. Any attempt to link Kerry to me and make him look bad with that connection is completely false. We were at a rally for veterans at the same time. I spoke, Donald Sutherland spoke, John Kerry spoke at the end. I don't even think we shook hands. And they're also saying this organization, the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, was a Communist organization. This was an organization of men who risked their lives in Vietnam, who considered themselves totally patriotic. So anyone who slams that organization and slams Kerry for being part of it is doing an injustice to veterans. How can you impugn, how can you even suggest, that anyone like Kerry or any of these veterans were not patriotic? He was a hero there."

This is an issue, an experience that will not go away -- especially in an election year.

John Kerry's record, in war and against it, and tough questions about a president's service in the National Guard will remain at the forefront.

Young people who were finding their way back then are now a generation of leaders still struggling with this conflict, nearly 30 years after the war's end.

[torchthemummy]

"They are in effect offering to back off on a baseless smear in exchange for republicans dropping a valid issue that bears on Kerry's suitability for office today."

Exactly. The trade Ford is proffering is like offering a common mushroom for a truffle (I used to work in produce in a gourmet shop that Kerry frequented on Beacon Hill)

[altura]

Let's be a little careful about using Register's fantastic photo, or THEY will start saying the other one is Register's work also.

[Cloud William]

Brit's wrong on this one. I suspect the Republicans are showing great forebearance to prevent giving the Dems a premature case of "buyer's remorse". Once Kerry is the candidate, it'll be a live-fire zone.

[doug from upland]

It's a little late, Harold. The KoolAide drinkers in the press have picked up your issue. Get ready for an onslaught like he has never seen. The RATS have asked for it.

[sinkspur]

How can you impugn, how can you even suggest, that anyone like Kerry or any of these veterans were not patriotic? He was a hero there."

Apparently he was not a hero, and any "veteran" who helped prolong the war (as Kerry and his pinko buddies did upon their return) by giving aid and comfort to the enemy is held, rightly, in low regard by other veterans.

Those "Kerry-Fonda" stickers will be around through the election, and they, by themselves, say all that needs to be said about Kerry's post-Vietnam experience.

[nutmeg]

Check out the very interesting pic of Hanoi Jane and Hanoi John Kerry in #85. This is NOT the same pic you've probably seen over and over again the past few days. This is a "new" one. I don't know if it's authentic, though.

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[Freedom2specul8]

OH this one is great! Thanks

[nutmeg]

Yeah, it sure is, but I don't know yet if it's authentic! :-(

It's too good to be true!

[Endeavor]

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

I had figured that out after seeing him once on tv a long while back, but I like the way you put it.

[2nd Bn, 11th Mar]

"It's clear where [Kerry] was [during the early 1970s] And at this moment it's unclear where the president was."

This is such a dumb statement, John Effing Kerry could have made it himself.

Kerry was in the audience of an anti-war rally with Jane Fonda, giving aid and comfort to our enemies, while the President was flying F-102 Delta Daggers in support of our freedom.

These Democrats are beyond description in this time of national need.

Semper Fi,

[nutmeg]

Check out the very interesting pic of Hanoi Jane and Hanoi John Kerry in #85. This is NOT the same pic you've probably seen over and over again the past few days. This is a "new" one. I don't know if it's authentic, though.

[RippleFire]

bump

[calljack]

We were at a rally for veterans at the same time. I spoke, Donald Sutherland spoke, John Kerry spoke at the end.

I think Jane just authenticed it.

[torchthemummy]

"Apparently he was not a hero, and any "veteran" who helped prolong the war (as Kerry and his pinko buddies did upon their return) by giving aid and comfort to the enemy is held, rightly, in low regard by other veterans."

If Kerry could have proved that the atrocities that he purported as fact in front of Congress we're shown to be true and if he could have shown in memos, letters, etc. that official policy allowing such violation of the Geneva Convention ground rules was in effect and could prove that some of the top brass condoned such activities then he would not have been a traitor. The fact that after his testimony he admitted he did not have direct proof except for statements made to him (in sworn testimony in front of Congress) by his fellow anti-war vets and others he never met, then hung around the same speakers, addressed the same crowds (filled with many institutionally misled student commie-wanna-bees), threw somebody elses medals over the WH fence then wants to be called a patriot by Hanoi Jane, of all people, then he should expect to be lableled a traitor. And if he was being told by higher-ups that he was to constantly breaking Geneva Covention agreements, then he was the criminal along with the higher-ups.

What a maroon!!!

[wardaddy]

LOL.