Madfloridian's Journal - Harold Ford: "I caution anybody who continues to talk about the past" in Iraq

The reporter in this Newsweek interview really pumps him about things. He gave a warning to the grassroots...that must be the millionth warning to us. He cautioned us not to keep delving into the past about Iraq.

Harold Ford: ‘I Caution Some in Our Party’

Here is one question and answer:

Answer: I wouldn't call it pro-war.

Question: It was in 2003.

Answer: Well, pro-war doesn't mean that we support the way this president has gone about fighting. We were supportive of removing Saddam Hussein, instilling stability in the country, reducing the threat that America faced from Al Qaeda and, equally important, the threat we thought was posed by Saddam Hussein. If we knew then what we know now … I was in the Congress; I would not have voted for the resolution. But at the same time, we're in a different place now. I caution anybody who continues to talk about the past on this issue.

If we don't understand the past, we are doomed to repeat it...and Iran is on the radar now.

The reporter repeatedly asked about Hillary Clinton and her leadership role there. He denied that, saying it would not be right.

Question: Does Hillary Clinton still have a formal role at the DLC?

Question:No.

Question: She's still listed on your Web site as part of the DLC leadership team.

Question: Right. But you can't have a formal role and still run for president with the DLC. You can be on various committees, but you can't have a formal role, no.

Question: What does it mean that she's part of the DLC leadership team?

Answer; Meaning she's a former DLC chair. Meaning two years ago she chaired another effort in the DLC … on how to expand home ownership, how to expand college opportunity, how to expand job creation. John Edwards is on the leadership team as well. So is Joe Biden.

Question: But her picture is right there with yours and others as a prominent leader … She's the one who is listed there. It's not John Edwards.

Answer: You ought to go back and look. I think you may see others listed as well. As you know, it is illegal for the organization to endorse anybody.

Harold, I really need to remind you that your group had a meeting and press conference in 2003 to announce to all present that Howard Dean was not to be the candidate.

Dean is not the man to do it," Reed and From wrote.

More than 50 centrist Democrats, including Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner, met here yesterday to plot strategy for the "New Democrat" movement. To help get the ball rolling they read a memo by Al From and Bruce Reed, the chairman and president of the Democratic Leadership Council. The memo dismissed Dean as an elitist liberal from the "McGovern-Mondale wing" of the party -- "the wing that lost 49 states in two elections, and transformed Democrats from a strong national party into a much weaker regional one."

....""We are increasingly confident that President Bush can be beaten next year, but Dean is not the man to do it," Reed and From wrote. "Most Democrats aren't elitists who think they know better than everyone else."

Maybe, Harold, that would be called a non-endorsement and would be ok.

I wonder why if Hillary is not still a leader in your group that her Dream Initiative was unveiled on your site recently.

Hillary's ADI ready for download

I don't understand your denial, Harold Ford. Her picture is still listed with the others at your website. We all know that she and Bill Clinton are integral parts of the group.

Left to right: Ford, Carper, Hillary, Al From

And lastly his advice to the "activist wing" of the party. Gee, there has been a lot of that lately. Some of us activists are and were very moderate people, so we need to stop with the lectures and warnings.

Questrion: You're saying to the activist wing of the Democratic Party, which refers to the DLC as irrelevant—

It's hard to challenge people or argue with people who just won't pay attention to the facts. Markos and I have gotten beyond it. We've had our conversation. Those who want to continue the fight between the DLC and the left of the party, the only thing you're doing is strengthening John McCain, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney, and Rudy Giuliani. Our fight is not with one another. Our challenge is to convince the majority of people in this great country that we have the ideas, the fortitude, and, frankly, the discipline to lead the country.

Then if that is true, read what we say. Listen to our words. We are not fools and idiots. We want what is best for our country, and we are intelligent enough to know when we are being talked down to and treated as though we are unimportant.

WE were the ones who were right about Iraq. WR were the ones who were right about giving in to Bush so much on those judges. We were right, you were wrong.

That is no satisfaction, though, trust me.

We have to discuss the Iraq drumbeat to war, because the same thing is happening now about Iran.....and we are not able to get your ear to convince you.