Ford's Bus Driver

So there I am, waiting for an event to start with Harold Ford Jr. and there's a guy waiting too.

I see the bus outside and know it's the Ford Campaign bus driver, waiting to pick the Congressman up from a flight across the state.  

"So, how long you been with him?"

"I've been driving him around for eight weeks now," Charles or Charlie the Vietnam Veteran who could pass for a redneck says.

"You support him, do you?"

move on to hear his reply

"Oh, absolutely," he says, adding "he's the real thing. What you see is what you get with him."

I met the Congressman not long after that, too.  I'd sent him a note of support, with some poignant representation of my life and, let's just say he was touched.  So touched he showed he had kept it and it was still on his blackberry.

To those who decry his positions, those who denounce his religiousity, those who think he panders, I ask you:  what if those are truly his values, truly his beliefs, truly his morays?

Give the guy a chance.  Give the guy your support. Give him the opportunity to prove himself beyond Republican-crafted legislation crafted to drive that wedge between us all. I think you'll see a great TENNESSEE statesman on the horizon. I know I do.

•  Thanks for That...

  ....I've always been one who considered Ford to be a pretty shameless opportunist willing to do whatever it takes to get himself elected in Tennessee.  Your encounter definitely raises his stock in my mind.

  by Mark27 on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 04:55:44 AM PDT

  •  See, I thought so too, as a former journalist

    And had the opportunity a while ago to really grill him.  He took it, was principaled and confident in stances I really wasnt' on board with, and then, as this time, my bullshit meter really did not go off.

    I've met Kerry, Gore, and a few other pols.  I think my BS meter is not too lame.  

    The stakes being what they are, though, who knows.  

    I do know I told him I'd hold his feet to the fire when he gets elected if he's off base.

    His reply?  "I will too", or "I expect you to!" I can't remember which, but it is clear he's got the give and take of reasoned debate in mind when he runs for office as a Democratic candidate.  

    by Moesse on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 05:07:30 AM PDT

•  re:I Agree With Your Sentiments

  but really, if you spell more (with that accent ague) as you did, you're just perpetuating stereotypes.  You know:

  Hey, Harold, is that really your moray or are you just happy to see me?

  by deminva on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 05:04:42 AM PDT

  •  Oh dear! Don't tell my J-school teachers!

    I can't believe that!  Well, it was used in the right context at least, right?  I got my lowest grades in editing!

    by Moesse on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 05:09:47 AM PDT

•  As king of typos.....

  There is a word wrong....

  You used "Moray" when you meant "More'"

  A Moray is an eel.

  More', like his moral views, but less cast in stone. As in "Social Mores"  From the French, [not on dictionary.com]

  As for Mr. Ford, we realize he is campaigning and has to swing Eastern Tennessee as well as the western part of the state.  so, at this time his campaign shouting can be taken with a grain of salt.

  But if he wins and turns into a bigoted DINO, we should work diligently to make him a one-term menace.

  My career as grammer cop is now over.

  by boilerman10 on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 05:11:00 AM PDT

  •  grammar ?

    by TheGardener on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 05:12:44 AM PDT

    •  I am a terrible speller, and typist.

      forgive me.

      by boilerman10 on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 07:39:04 AM PDT

      •  Forgiven

        In the realm of grammar mistakes are myriad. I tutor english, and actively encourage students to ignore grammar, as much as possible. It distracts from the flow of ideas. You will see that I am not above following my own advice.

        by TheGardener on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 07:53:13 AM PDT

•  He is a nice guy

  I met him last summer and he signed a photo for my son's babysitter/ caretaker and a sign for my son, Kyle.  My son has autism and doesn't talk, his babysitter, is a middle aged, African American, special education school bus driver.  She loves him and he loves her.  She keeps the autographed picture of Harold on her bedroom dresser in a beautiful frame.  She asked me find some way to "introduce" her lovely niece to Harold, she adores him that much.

  Harold wrote this note to my  son on his sign "Kyle, this election is about you".  One day, I was listening to Harold at a luncheon and he mentioned the less fortunate those needing health care and those "like Kyle who will always need care".  I nearly fell off my chair, he remembered my son's name, my God half the time I cannot think of Kyle's name, but Harold Ford remembered it.  
  I just love him.  Here is a blog about Harold coming to our home and a picture, and here is my son, Scooter...er, I mean Kyle.  :)

  by Sandy on Signal on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 06:58:47 AM PDT