Thu
Nov 9 2006
01:15 pm
Harold Ford Jr. says Thank You to the voters of East Tennessee
By: R. Neal


Jr. talks to the local media

Harold Ford Jr. visited the Knoxville airport to thank his supporters in East Tennessee. He said he had no regrets about his campaign and would not have done anything differently. He said he did not think race was a factor but it didn't matter because he is who he is. He noted that he won in Corker's home town of Chattanooga.

He was glad to see that President Bush took his advice and fired Rumsfeld and that he should have done it earlier. He said Democrats now have a chance to do some good and that they should keep their promise to the people to do something about Iraq, health care, education, and the issues of concern to Americans.

He is not sure what he will do next except take a few days off and go back to work in Congress next week. He says politics is definitely in his future and he loves America and his work is just beginning.

He thanked his supporters and there were tearful goodbyes as he left for Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis to thank supporters there.

I think most of you would join me in saying, "Thank YOU Congressman Ford."

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Bbeanster's picture

Ford's concession speech

Submitted by Bbeanster on Thu, 2006/11/09 - 1:56pm.

Ford's concession speech (via Sharon Cobb)

(link...)

F-Stop's picture

I don't know if Harold Ford

Submitted by F-Stop on Thu, 2006/11/09 - 2:36pm.

I don't know if Harold Ford Jr. has ever read Knoxviews, but if you're reading, thank you Congressman Ford!

R. Neal's picture

Chris Jackson is collecting

Submitted by R. Neal on Thu, 2006/11/09 - 6:06pm.

Chris Jackson is collecting messages to Ford here. They will get delivered.

Bbeanster's picture

Gosh, those messages are

Submitted by Bbeanster on Thu, 2006/11/09 - 7:51pm.

Gosh, those messages are overwhelming.
This one really got to me:

joe4444 said...
Congressman/Senator/Governor/whatever title you will hold (and I know you will hold one soon),
I would like to thank you for your great run for the Senate. But I would also like to thank you for something you did for me a long time ago.

In May of 1998, I went on a field trip with my 8th grade class to Washington D.C. I didn't travel on the bus with my class though, I went with my friends Derek and Jeff, and their mom's. There was something unique about my friend Derek, however. Well I'll let you see that "uniqueness" for yourself, just click right here. My friend Derek is the one in the front, sitting in the wheelchair.

Ford, after you spoke to our class, my dad asked you if you would be so kind as to pose for a picture with my friends and I (see above link). After you did so, our class was to go into the Capital building. However, there were no elevators accessible to the public, so we did not know how we were going to get Derek in. Then you, Ford, offerred to escourt us through security, to the private elevator to help get Derek in with the rest of our class, and that was the only reason we got to tour the Capital building with our class. The next year, in February of 1999, I was at school one day in 9th grade, when a teacher called me out to the hallway, and informed me that Derek had passed away that previous night in his sleep. I was so emotional that I could not stay at school that whole day, and had to leave early to go home.

Ford, it was for that reason in the story above that I decided to give you such strong support in this race. I was blessed to meet you again just a couple months ago (Sept. 15, to be specific). That was when I got this picture right here. I have been very busy with school and have not had much time for campaigning, but Ford I have been doing all I can for you every step of the way. Thank you for all your hard work, I know you would have been the better man for Senator, much better than Corker, or even Van Hilleary or Bryant. Ford, no matter what happens, I will be supporting you, and you will be kept in my prayers. I would like to keep in touch with you, and if you have time, I ask you to e-mail me at: joe444477@gmail.com if there is anything I can do for you and your future campaigns.

Please NEVER give up, for Derek's sake!!!

God bless,
Joe

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. ~Romans 12:21

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~Phillipeans 4:13

R. Neal's picture

Yeah, that was my favorite.

Submitted by R. Neal on Thu, 2006/11/09 - 8:12pm.

Yeah, that was my favorite. A very telling story.

bill young's picture

we ran to win

Submitted by bill young on Fri, 2006/11/10 - 11:44am.

What suprised me the most was our folks saying..what a great campaign we are running..my god,a young, black guy,from memphis,named ford, running so strong..come on..we should be 20 points down..let me be clear..we ran this campaign to win..not to come close...not to make a statement..we ran to win.. but what don't kill ya..makes you stronger..i will tell you this,all that mess they threw at us..is old news & will not work NEXT TIME...happy trails..until we meet again

Anonymous's picture

I had every intention of

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2006/11/10 - 1:20pm.

I had every intention of voting for Mr. Ford, until he had to throw the race card out there. I wish we could move beyond race and let the issues and qualifications speak for themselves. Unfortunately Mr. Ford isn't ready to do that. Mr. Ford, next time you run, please realize that it is ones character, not race, that counts.

Bbeanster's picture

Good try, but you very much

Submitted by Bbeanster on Fri, 2006/11/10 - 1:31pm.

Good try, but you very much resemble the Anonymous who just posted in support of Stacey Campfield's harassment of the Black Caucus. Somehow, your claim that you had "every intention" of voting for Ford rings a little hollow.

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