Harold Ford, Jr.: Yea or Nay?

First published Saturday, August 12, 2006:

A friend once told me about a conversation he had with a voter when he first ran for office. The voter said, "Robert, you're nuts, and ordinarily, I would not vote for you, but I think if you got into office you would always try to do the right thing and later on, I will be able to say I was glad I took a chance on you." Robert thinks Harold Ford, Jr. should fall into that category for me: someone I should take a chance on who, eventually, will be someone I was glad I did.

HF, Jr has a bit of history with me that he has to overcome before I am willing to take a chance on him, not the least of which is whether his conservative/moderate rhetoric is just window dressing--or as Daniel Patrick Moynihan used to say of Clinton's triangulation, "Boob-bait for bubba."

Aside from my skepticism about HF, Jr.'s conservatism/moderation, there is a MAJOR issue that has to be addressed. If HF, Jr.'s election creates a Democrat majority in the Senate, they will be making war policy an I can not conceive of a scenario where the current Democrat Party successfully prosecute the Global War on Terrorism. HF, Jr. may (or may not) be a stalwart on this issue, but I don't see the national Democrat Party as having enough rational people like him to formulate a muscular, effective and successful policy. So far, their only unity on the issue is their hatred of Bush and any of his policies (good, bad, or indifferent) including the war. I think this irrational hatred will drive them, their policy and the country over a cliff.

When I listen to the rhetoric of the Democrat Party, I am left with the distinct conviction that they just don't get it. Their solution to terrorism is to pull back, prostrate, and beg the terrorist not to kill us.
Make no mistake about it. These are perilous times. We are faced by an implacable enemy who knows nothing beyond killing Americans and "unbelievers." I am reminded of the scene from the movie "Terminator" when the hero is explaining the mission of the Terminator. The Terminator exists to kill the heroine. That's what he does. That's all he does. He cannot be bargained with; he cannot be negotiated with; he cannot be pleaded with. The Democrats and their leadership just don't get it. Because of that, they are unfit to lead.

If this were any other time, HF, Jr. would be worthy of serious consideration. However, since national security is my number one priority, I cannot take a chance on him.