Firedoglake » Harold Ford: Making Life Harder For Jim Himes

By: Jane Hamsher Friday February 22, 2008 4:40 pm

Unseating an incumbent is tough any time. But the GOP has put millions of dollars into Chris Shays' district (including $6 million for affordable housing -- conveniently Jim Himes' signature issue) in order to help the lone Republican congressman remaining in the northeast keep his seat.

So Himes not only has to run against Shays' formidable incumbency and fundraising advantages, he also has to run against the US Treasury. So why is Harold Ford, head of the DLC, making it more difficult?

"There is not a better Congressman in Washington than Chris Shays," said Ford, to a crowd of about 600 Fairfield University students and community members.

Really? Crazy Shaysie? The guy who thinks Blackwater is doing a "perfect" -- not "good," but "perfect" -- job? He's your model for Congressional excellence?

Someone should let Ford know that the "D" in DLC is a passing reference to "Democrat."

You can donate to the Jim Himes campaign here.

68 Responses to “Harold Ford: Making Life Harder For Jim Himes”

punaise February 22nd, 2008 at 4:44 pm

yikes.

tbsa February 22nd, 2008 at 4:44 pm

Buck Fush

punaise February 22nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm

seems like a dereliction of the political equivalent of fiduciary responsibility.

CTuttle February 22nd, 2008 at 4:47 pm

Really? Crazy Shaysie?blockquote>
The one who planted a wet one on Shrub after the SOTU…?

Eureka Springs February 22nd, 2008 at 4:47 pm

In response to punaise @ 3

You are to kind.

ThingsComeUndone February 22nd, 2008 at 4:48 pm

Ok you got me just why is Ford screwing over a Democrat?

punaise February 22nd, 2008 at 4:48 pm

In response to Eureka Springs @ 5

I was going to be more blunt and call it partisan treason.

CTuttle February 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 pm

In response to ThingsComeUndone @ 6

Because Ford is a Blue Dog Dino, and the DLC needs to be disbanded…!

punaise February 22nd, 2008 at 4:51 pm

Jane, this challenges your botox / frozen forehead observation:

….At the end of the day, McCain boarded the plane with his wife, his staff, and his daughter, Meghan, who trailed an entourage of friends, bound for Indianapolis. On another night, he would have sauntered to the back to chew the fat with reporters. But on this night, he only came half-way down the aisle, keeping a safe distance. “Everybody happy?” he called out. “Fun day. Fun day.” McCain’s eyebrows bounced up and down to signal his sarcasm.

ThingsComeUndone February 22nd, 2008 at 4:52 pm

Shaysie? The guy who thinks Blackwater is doing a “perfect” — not “good,” but “perfect” — job

Which might explain why gas is $3.20 a gallon is Seattle. The GOP can say anything they want about how well Blackwater and/or the Surge is doing I just fill up my GAS TANK!

RobZuber February 22nd, 2008 at 4:53 pm

Blood pressure rising….

ThingsComeUndone February 22nd, 2008 at 4:57 pm

In response to CTuttle @ 8

I agree but are they insane? Have they drunk the Cool Aid. Are they bought off by all the Lobbyists they let write the laws now.
Or are they true believers in the Zombie Cult of BiPartisanship which believes that if you Surrender enough someday you will get a compromise.

Veritas78 February 22nd, 2008 at 4:58 pm

Think about how useless the DLC will be if Obama ends up as President. They have a stake in avoiding that, and shortening his coattails if he does.

CTuttle February 22nd, 2008 at 5:00 pm

In response to ThingsComeUndone @ 12

I agree but are they insane? Have they drunk the Cool Aid. Are they bought off by all the Lobbyists they let write the laws now.

Another episode of Simple Answers to Simple Questions… Yes! *g*

Biodun February 22nd, 2008 at 5:02 pm

Good evening to you, Jane…

Biodun February 22nd, 2008 at 5:02 pm

Keith: How many Hillary Clinton’s campaigns are there?

tw3k February 22nd, 2008 at 5:03 pm

In response to Veritas78 @ 13

That thought, alone, could get me to vote.

Biodun February 22nd, 2008 at 5:03 pm

Oddball promises to be good tonight, as usual…

Biodun February 22nd, 2008 at 5:04 pm

In response to Biodun @ 18

I meant Countdown…well, Oddball too…*g*

Jane Hamsher February 22nd, 2008 at 5:04 pm

In response to punaise @ 9

I noticed yesterday that it was beginning to unfreeze. He had a bit of motion again. That’s how it goes…

punaise February 22nd, 2008 at 5:06 pm

In response to Jane Hamsher @ 20

he’s probably feeling a bit de-fellated lately…

CTuttle February 22nd, 2008 at 5:07 pm

In response to Biodun @ 19

I’m disheartened to hear that Tweety and Brian Williams will be next week’s moderators…! 8-(

BTW, David has a dissertation on Immigration upstairs…!

Elliott February 22nd, 2008 at 5:08 pm

In response to CTuttle @ 22

I’m disheartened to hear that Tweety and Brian Williams will be next week’s moderators…! 8-(

eeeeuww

tw3k February 22nd, 2008 at 5:10 pm

In response to Elliott @ 23

:O===|

GregB February 22nd, 2008 at 5:12 pm

Breaking News:

Sen. Obama tied to the Weather Girls.

Whitey is scared.

-G

Biodun February 22nd, 2008 at 5:13 pm

In response to CTuttle @ 22

BTW, David has a dissertation on Immigration upstairs…!

Can’t keep up with everything. You gotta focus sometimes. I prefer to be here. Nothing personal…*G*

PetePierce February 22nd, 2008 at 5:17 pm

In response to CTuttle @ 22

Maybe it will mean more exposure for Shuster outside the debate.

Who’s going to tell Clinton she’s out?

Biodun February 22nd, 2008 at 5:19 pm

In response to punaise @ 21

Mon copain: Quelquefois, on doit être sur le bon comportement…

Biodun February 22nd, 2008 at 5:23 pm

David Shuster is back to speed. Glad to see that. I was worried about nothing…

Jazgar February 22nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm

Is HF hoping that Shays will switch? Is he nuts?

PetePierce February 22nd, 2008 at 5:27 pm

In response to Biodun @ 29

I’ve always thought Shuster was one of the most solid people MSNBC puts on the air. I wouldn’t have suspended him, given the context but that’s been aired out here pretty completely.

punaise February 22nd, 2008 at 5:28 pm

In response to Biodun @ 28

qui - moi ou McW?

Bluetoe2 February 22nd, 2008 at 5:29 pm

Just like a Dino to throw a life line to a sinking Republican. I’m sure the Republican would return the favor. Not

RevDeb February 22nd, 2008 at 5:30 pm

SO GLAD that Ford lost his seat to Steve Cohen. He’s one of the BEST freshmen we got this last cycle. Now we have to concentrate on keeping Ford out of the House, out of the Senate, and out of govt. Period.

Hugh February 22nd, 2008 at 5:38 pm

Biodun veut dire qu’il y a des moments et des endroits ou il faut observer des convenances. Autrement dit: Soyez sage. Mais a mon avis, allez-y!

RobZuber February 22nd, 2008 at 5:39 pm

Froomkin on KO!

egregious February 22nd, 2008 at 5:40 pm

Froomkin on Olbermann now

RevDeb February 22nd, 2008 at 5:41 pm

Froomkin on KO talking about the freaky fear video that the peeing-in-their-pants rethugs made.

Good to see him on the screen.

punaise February 22nd, 2008 at 5:41 pm

In response to Hugh @ 35

etre sage, c’est pas vraiment mon truc. :~)

but seriously, come on….

scory February 22nd, 2008 at 5:42 pm

What is wrong with these people? Does being part of the DLC mean you get some implant that renders you impervious to common sense? Please, stop Harold Ford now before he fails again!

RevDeb February 22nd, 2008 at 5:43 pm

Froomkin seems nervous on teevee.

Hugh February 22nd, 2008 at 5:45 pm

etre sage, c’est pas vraiment mon truc. :~)

Et c’est ce que je viens de dire. Aucun probleme avec vos tours de langage mais les tours de langue de McCain, si.

PetePierce February 22nd, 2008 at 5:51 pm

In response to RevDeb @ 38

Froomkin on KO talking about the freaky fear video that the peeing-in-their-pants rethugs made.

Typical Reptilian Brains appealling to Reptilian Brains

Froomkin should be on more.

RobZuber February 22nd, 2008 at 5:53 pm

From 2006:

The Congressman who is running to replace retiring Bill Frist as Senator from Tennessee has voted to outlaw gay marriage and to repeal the estate tax, and wants to amend the Constitution to ban flag burning. He supports getting rid of the handgun ban in the nation’s capital and says the Ten Commandments should be posted in courtrooms around his state. He favors school prayer, argues that more troops should have been sent to Iraq and wants to seal the border with Mexico.

http://www.time.com/time/magaz.....81,00.html

Good times.

punaise February 22nd, 2008 at 5:55 pm

In response to Hugh @ 42

(allez, on peut se tutoyer, non?)

pour etre claire, si j’ai bien compris ta reponse: ce n’est pas mes propos - parfois lourdes et gauches, certes - qui offensent, mais plutot ceux de McW dans sa politique.

par contre, je ne suis pas convaincu que c’etait la position de Biodun…?

Biodun February 22nd, 2008 at 6:03 pm

In response to punaise @ 32

LOL…Tu sais qui…

punaise February 22nd, 2008 at 6:04 pm

In response to Biodun @ 46

tu as failli m’avoir, la!

Hugh February 22nd, 2008 at 6:06 pm

(allez, on peut se tutoyer, non?)

Certainement. Je trouve toujours tes jeux de mots amusants. En fait, mon dernier commentaire etait un jeu de mots en francais sur ton jeu de mots en anglais. Mais je crois que Biodun voulait ameliorer le ton de la discussion. A mon avis, il voulait laisser languir les langues.

Elliott February 22nd, 2008 at 6:06 pm

punaise biodun
“Obtenir une chambre?”

wobblybits February 22nd, 2008 at 6:07 pm

brother, I never was a fan of Ford but this takes the cake; to support the repug??

selise February 22nd, 2008 at 6:08 pm

In response to Elliott @ 49

LOL… that i don’t need a translator for.

Hugh February 22nd, 2008 at 6:09 pm

In response to wobblybits @ 50

brother, I never was a fan of Ford but this takes the cake; to support the repug??

Yes, he pulled a Lieberman.

Biodun February 22nd, 2008 at 6:09 pm

In response to Hugh @ 42

punaise et Hugh:

du calme, mes amis. On est des amis ici a FDL…Je fais des conneries c’est tout… Quoi? On va commencer des guerres civiles a FDL aussi…et en francais? Non non non.

On est des amis ici…

RevDeb February 22nd, 2008 at 6:10 pm

In response to Elliott @ 49

LOL. oops
RDF

Biodun February 22nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm

In response to Elliott @ 49

Mais non…s’il vous plait, voir mon 53…

selise February 22nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm

In response to RevDeb @ 54

better yet.

Hugh February 22nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm

In response to Biodun @ 53

On est des amis ici…

D’accord. Je le sais. Mais tu as raison. Il faut le dire de temps en temps.

Hugh February 22nd, 2008 at 6:15 pm

Tout le monde est parti, je crois. De toute facon, bon soir et bonne soiree a tous. A plus.

Biodun February 22nd, 2008 at 6:16 pm

BTW, out of the French Wars…

Larry King actually has a decent show right now on the McCain story and also on the Dem primary…

Now has my pal Michael Eric Dyson and his wife Marcia on. You guys think there’s a civil ear at FDL? Michael is for Obama, and Marcia is for Hill(ary)…

And Paul Begalla playing the third wheel…

punaise February 22nd, 2008 at 6:16 pm

alors, tout va bien….

Elliott - tu as failli m’avoir means something like “you had me going there for a minute”

anyway, it’s Friday, so it’s all good.

punaise February 22nd, 2008 at 6:23 pm

In response to Biodun @ 59

Now has my pal Michael Eric Dyson and his wife Marcia on. You guys think there’s a civil ear at FDL? Michael is for Obama, and Marcia is for Hill(ary)…

hah! reminds of this picture, taken in the Oakland Hills, to which my caption was “I wonder who’s sleeping on the couch in this household?”

jussumbody February 22nd, 2008 at 6:28 pm

In response to Veritas78 @ 13

Think about how useless the DLC will be if Obama ends up as President. They have a stake in avoiding that, and shortening his coattails if he does.

I’m thinking. And I’m thinking Holy Joe’s little disciple won’t excactly be chasing the DLC moneychangers from the Temple. I suppose I have to resign myself to his inevitability, but it would be nice if you people who support him would hold him accountable between now and November. If you let him run to the right, that’s how he’s going to govern. You should be on his ass now to start making his presence felt in the Dem party. And that means getting the DLC in line with the interests of ordinary Americans in the House and Senate from the end of the primaries to election day. Personally I don’t understand how he’s any different from the DLCers.

Biodun February 22nd, 2008 at 6:33 pm

In response to punaise @ 61

You sure that’s not your place in the Berkeley Hills? Next to Michel Chabons? *G*

RobZuber February 22nd, 2008 at 6:35 pm

In response to jussumbody @ 62

Personally I don’t understand how he’s any different from the DLCers.

Instead of slurs, how about you actually post some, you know, facts, that show he’s a DLC type of politician. Then we can discuss it.

punaise February 22nd, 2008 at 6:35 pm

In response to Biodun @ 63

LOL - we’re down in the beginning of the flatlands…

PetePierce February 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 pm

In response to jussumbody @ 62

If you let him run to the right, that’s how he’s going to govern.

He’s the Democratic Nominee, and all Clinton is doing now is floundering and it’s not pretty to watch.

I don’t know what Obama you’re watching. He’s no where near the right. Any association with Obama and the schmuck Leiberman is misinterpretation and wasted time.

He’s clearly to the left of center–he’s not on the same planet with the scumbag Leiberman.

SuefromCT February 23rd, 2008 at 4:56 am

This from the Black Commentator, 2004:

Harold Ford, Jr. is a media and political darling for the simple reason that he goes out of his way to misrepresent the politics of Black America. Because of Ford and his ilk we are forced to hear from the punditocracy that Black people really are becoming more conservative, and that the Black vote is up for grabs. And yet just like clockwork Black voting patterns remain the same and our opinions remain uniform. But the same inane claims will be made this year and probably in 2008, 2012 and beyond.

http://www.blackcommentator.com/79/79_fr_ford.html

dcblogger February 23rd, 2008 at 8:29 am

I am old enough to remember when Harold Ford was touted as a possible first black American president. EEEEEEEEeeeuuuuuuuuuwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!

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