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01/13/2010
The all-new Ford Evolution: Where's the rear-view mirror?
Harold Ford Jr. seriously needs to stop likening his marriage/civil unions record to that of President Obama or Sen. Schumer:
New York Times: Let’s talk about gay marriage. You know your record very well, but to quickly remind you, you voted to ban same sex marriage, with the Federal Marriage Amendment, twice.
Harold Ford: I can say up until 2003, most organizations and national organization that had an office in Washington dedicated to fighting for equality for Americans, I enjoyed broad support and big support from them. The marriage votes drove my ratings down considerably, and arguably rightly so. I have been a supporter of civil unions. My opponent raised the issue on the campaign trail in Tennessee.
As the presidential race unfolded, one of the things I recognized during the campaign: My position on same-sex marriage resembles President Obama’s over the years. Frankly, up until maybe a year ago, that of the senior senator in the state, Senator Schumer, who was opposed to same-sex marriage.
Interview With Harold Ford Jr. [NYT]
Okay yes, President Obama is only a civil unions supporter (at least now, at least publicly). But he did not -- DID NOT! -- support the Federal Marriage Amendment, nor has he ever supported a state marriage ban Ford, on the other hand, voted for the FMA twice, as well as supported Tennessee's local marriage ban when both he and it were on the state's 11/06 ballot.
And as for Schumer? Yes, the senator used to be for civil unions only. But even then, he was *STRONGLY* opposed to the FMA. In fact, he was part of a group of three senators (along with Boxer and Stabenow) who met with the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce to strategize ways to combat the heinous measure! Like all of New York's national Democrats, Chuck opposed federal bias!
So look, if Ford is stepping up his stance now and choosing to back the basic fairness that he always should have supported, then good for him for realizing he erred in the past. Genuinely. We applaud him for it. But that doesn't change the fact that in 2004 and 2006, he was absolutely not an "8 out of 10," as he labels himself. Unless, of course, he means a "Prop 8" out of 10!
Your thoughts
I think its very sudden for this change of heart, maybe in 5-10 years if he wanted to run for another public office it would sound more genuine. It is like how Romney flipped flopped during his run for presidency. Ford is an opportunist.
I could understand people changing their views on issues. Ford needs time to evolve.
Posted by: Matt from California | Jan 13, 2010 2:41:15 PM
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