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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[Defender2]

To H*ll with Harold Ford, D*mn the Torpedoes and Full Speed Ahead!!!!

[tet68]

John F'n Kerry to Harold Ford, "Is it safe? IS it safe?
IS IT SAFE !!!"

[Richard Kimball]

The only problem is, Mr. Ford, we didn't start this, your side did. Besides, we're having fun. Your side sure isn't.

[Noumenon]

Kerry looks like a malignant chipmunk in that photo.

[ambrose]

Too late.

[sinkspur]

Ford tipped the DNC's hand here.

"Stop showing the picture or we'll shoot the dog."

Except, they tried to shoot the dog, and missed.

Keep showing the picture, and find more, if possible. They know how devestating a link to Jane Fonda is with veterans.

[Timesink]

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

Agreed. I've never understood why anyone's respected him.

[DCPatriot]

I wondered what possessed the Dems to make an pre-emptive 1st strike issue out of Bush's National Guard attendance, while Kerry has a sorry personal history since 1971.

Jane Fonda-type speeches, Congressional hearings, outrageous claims, all very Anti-military in this day of an ongoing War on Terror.

What was he thinking? IMO, this guy's toast. But then again, I thought Bill Clinton was going to lose his Presidency during the Impeachment.

[Iron Matron]

You have hooked up with a LOSER and a LIAR. And it's going to be a particularly brutal ride ahead for you.



What about the book that kerry wrote (a different kind of soldier?) If someone has a copy, that should be splashed all over as well, particularly the picture on the front cover.

I heard mr ford say that as well, and it DID sound like a threat.

[George W. Bush]

That little slimeball.

[small voice in the wilderness]

It's either John Kerry or Gomer Pyle. And we KNOW Gomer was a fictional character. And we're beginning to know kerry, too, was a fictional character. I do believe he had a script and followed it accordingly. POS didn't deserve a medal, he deserved a Grammy for Best Actor in a War.

[k2blader]

Democrat representative from TN.

[optimistically_conservative]

Hey Harold, bring it on!!!

Let's compare the war crimes while Kerry served and the treasonous lies for political gain when he got back.

Oh, and we'll be using Kerry's own words against him as well as his military records - not "gaps" mind you. The actual records.

[hattend]

Dear Rep Ford,

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

Signed
hattend

[madison10]

All's fair in war and in...ummm anti-war. Y'all started it, Harold.

[Williams]

I don't usually say this kind of thing, but I practically had the big O reading this. I think a lot of us have figured out the dem strategy. Typical dem scuminess too. They don't threaten to bring up an issue about Bush's guard service - they actually bring up the issue, then tell you not to bring up issues about Kerry. To quote Will Smith in MIB, "Don't want none? Don't bring none."

[kevkrom]

"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.

Um... the White House announced today that they're doing just that.

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.

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.

If it weren't so serious, the transparency would be laughable.

[alisasny]

It must really suck to be in the minority party. This sticks and stones with FORD is just comical.

[gipper81]

We hit a nerve. Keep drillin'

[Howlin]

"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."

I wonder how little Harold feels about Benedict Arnold?