Endorsement: Ford for U.S. Senate
2006-10-16
Source: Tennessean.com
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rss feedThe Tennessean today strongly endorses U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Bill Frist.
Ford, the Democratic nominee, has served 10 years in the House, representing the 9th District of Memphis. But he is ready to represent the entire state, and it could not be at a more pivotal time. Ford offers the potential of bringing new energy and leadership to the Senate, but he also represents the sort of change the nation needs in terms of which party will hold the majority there. Tennessee has emerged as a key state in the national picture. By electing Ford, Tennesseans have an opportunity to help set the country on a positive new course.
Ford appears willing to stand up to the tired policies of the Bush administration. Congress has done the bidding of the White House for far too long. With Republican majorities in the House and Senate, Congress has been too accommodating to the wishes of the president, who has insisted on having his way. Ford carries an independent spirit that would not only represent a change in the Senate but would be in step with the values of Tennessee voters.
Ford has demonstrated a willingness to look at different ways of handling the war in Iraq, which much of Congress has been too timid to do. He has shown a commitment to balancing the nation's budget, which has gone haywire in Republican hands. He has also demonstrated new ways of thinking in ensuring the financial future of Americans, making sure every person has access to health care and in developing alternative fuels.
Ford's opponent is Republican nominee Bob Corker, former mayor of Chattanooga. Corker has closely aligned himself in the campaign with President Bush, who has extremely frayed coattails, and it does not stand the candidate well. Corker is an honorable man with a record of accomplishment, but there is little reason for voters to believe a vote for Corker would do anything other than echo too many of the failures that are currently the norm in Washington.
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