Monday, October 16, 2006
There he goes again
According to the Tennessean's Larry Daughtrey, Bob Corker's assertion that Harold Ford, Jr., aka Junior, "inherited" his seat in Congress is a distortion of the historical record. Daughtrey attempts to prove himself wise by uncorking this snide gem in support of his thesis:
The last time anyone looked, the [1996 9th District Congressional primary] was an open election, and Ford had five opponents in the primary ... election.
The 1996 9th District primary was indeed an open election, and five Democrats were lined up against Ford, Junior. That's where Daughtrey's correct assessment of the election in question ends.
Junior's father, Harold Ford the First, represented the 9th District in the U.S. House for over twenty years. During that time, he built an impressive political machine that not only helped him during his re-election campaigns, but helped him emerge from a federal corruption trial - during which the race card was shamelessly played - unscathed as well. When Junior entered the race to replace his retiring father in Congress, the full weight and muscle of the Ford machine was ponied up for his campaign. Thus, Junior was running as a defacto incumbent.
When the votes were tallied on primary Election Day in August 1996, the 9th District race wasn't even close: Junior posted an impressive 25-point victory over his nearest opponent. Memphians who voted for Junior knew full well that they were voting for dynastic change ... they'd proudly displayed yard signs and bumper stickers upon which the simple slogan "JR.: Congress" was displayed.
Merriam-Webster defines "inherit" thusly:
To receive from an ancestor as a right or title
Considering the facts mentioned above, I defy anyone to tell me that Junior did NOT inherit his congressional seat.
Mr. Daughtrey, this means you ... !
The last time anyone looked, the [1996 9th District Congressional primary] was an open election, and Ford had five opponents in the primary ... election.
The 1996 9th District primary was indeed an open election, and five Democrats were lined up against Ford, Junior. That's where Daughtrey's correct assessment of the election in question ends.
Junior's father, Harold Ford the First, represented the 9th District in the U.S. House for over twenty years. During that time, he built an impressive political machine that not only helped him during his re-election campaigns, but helped him emerge from a federal corruption trial - during which the race card was shamelessly played - unscathed as well. When Junior entered the race to replace his retiring father in Congress, the full weight and muscle of the Ford machine was ponied up for his campaign. Thus, Junior was running as a defacto incumbent.
When the votes were tallied on primary Election Day in August 1996, the 9th District race wasn't even close: Junior posted an impressive 25-point victory over his nearest opponent. Memphians who voted for Junior knew full well that they were voting for dynastic change ... they'd proudly displayed yard signs and bumper stickers upon which the simple slogan "JR.: Congress" was displayed.
Merriam-Webster defines "inherit" thusly:
To receive from an ancestor as a right or title
Considering the facts mentioned above, I defy anyone to tell me that Junior did NOT inherit his congressional seat.
Mr. Daughtrey, this means you ... !
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, October 16, 2006 
