Ford appearances on local TV today

Submitted by R. Neal on Sun, 2006/10/15 - 2:25pm.

Harold Ford Jr. was on WATE's Tennessee This Week and also on WBIR's Inside Tennessee today. Bob Corker was also on Inside Tennessee. You can watch Ford's interview on WATE'S Tennessee This Week here. (WBIR does not have an online archive of Inside Tennessee that I can find.)

Ford was strong on both shows, and the Inside Tennessee show was the closest thing to a debate East Tennesseans will get to see here. Although the candidates were on separate segments and not together, they were both asked almost the same questions. Based on their answers, the contrasts between the candidates could not be more clear. Ford was more relaxed and confident, he displayed a better command of the facts, and he offered clearer views on the issues.

The differences in character were clear, too. When Corker was asked if he had anything good to say about Ford, Corker jokingly said that Ford is a better talker and does better on the talk shows. When Ford was asked the same question about Corker, Ford said that Corker is a decent guy and has a wonderful biography and a beautiful family. (Although he interjected that he didn't think Corker has much depth on serious national issues.)

When asked if he had made any mistakes, Corker (in a bad parody of of Bush when he was asked the same question) stammered and stalled and couldn't come up with anything. When Ford was asked the same thing, before the question was even finished he said "Clearly. I don't suggest by any means I'm perfect." When pressed to name a mistake he had made during the campaign, Ford said without hesitation that he regretted calling Corker a "wimp." (But he stood by the "three stooges" remark when asked about it.)

About the only memorable thing Corker said was in response to a question about what he thought would tip race in his favor over the next couple of weeks. Corker said "Tennesseans will want to send someone to the United States Senate who is like them." The Mrs. and I looked at each other in disbelief. My reaction was "He did not just say that, did he?" The Mrs. said "Too bad Betty Bean wasn't there." The impression we got probably isn't what he meant, but it sure sounded funny, and not in a funny ha-ha way.

TAG TEAM UPDATE: Egalia at Tennessee Guerrilla Women has this report on the Ford and Corker interviews on This Week with George Stephanopoulos.

5
vote

Corker slip

Corker made an interesting slip of the tongue on the WBIR show this morning. He began to say, "I wake up in the morning seeing opportunity as a prob[lem]," but quickly caught himself, changing the sentence to, "I wake up in the morning seeing a problem as an opportunity."

Frankly, I see both versions as problematic ..

I have actually enjoyed

I have actually enjoyed sitting in the stands watching this race, but I am sure, positively certain, that the Republican Senate people have a commercial or two to play up that "like them" angle.

The dirty ads have started here in Jersey with Kean calling Menendez everything but a baby raper. He's starting to lag in the polls and that name recognition only goes so far in the northern part of the state where people remember how his father treated them all those years ago. Lesson: when the night starts to set on a campaign, the way to push the sun back up into the sky is go all LeeAtwater on the opponent's ass.

 

True happiness is knowing you are a hypocrite. -- Ivor Cutler

Tying Corker to Sundquist

Tying Corker to Sundquist and the state income tax was a brilliant piece of strategery. Have you noticed that when Corker recites his resume, he always touts his service as state finance commissioner, while never mentioning the name of the governor whom he served? There's a reason for that.

Sundquist is anathema to small government conservatives -- most of whom supported Bryant or Hilleary in the primary (Corker is from the country club wing of the party). Many of them are still bitter after the blood-letting of the primary, which Corker won primarily by self-financing his campaign to the tune of $2-plus million bucks and launching slashing attacks on his opponents.

Those are the people Corker must now motivate. While these conservatives are unlikely to vote for Ford, they might just choose to stay home on election day unless Corker can give them good reason to turn out the vote.

What Ford is doing is an attempt to suppress Corker's vote, and I think it's fiendishly clever. In fact, it's a page right out of the old Rove Triangulation Playbook -- attack Corker in an area he considers to be a strength and position your guy (Ford)against a state income tax (which isn't even a real issue in this race but is good for brownie points with those on the right).

Ford is the Roadrunner, Corker is looking more and more like Wile E. Coyote and is eating huge amounts of dust.

Brian A.'s picture
Candidates like me

I don't know about you guys, but I vote for green Martian candidates every chance I get. 

Yeah, I've noticed Ford getting the Sundquist shots in when he can.

Brian A.
I'd rather be cycling.

Corker

I slept through Corker's half on WBIR so I missed the "looks like them," wow!. Thougt Ford Rocked on This Week and Tn This Week. Was glad George Steph or anybody finally asked the question, "What about Ford is out of step with Tn ." Corker stumbled around. Stacey

Did I hear Junior say had a

Did I hear Junior say had a 6 year old brother?

It has nothing really to do with the campaign, but I didn't believe my ears.

yep u heard right

we democrats call the little feller congressman

Inside Tennessee

I emailed WBIR (feedback@wbir.com) asking about posting Inside Tennessee on YouTube; waiting for a response. Pushing ethical and legal boundries, here is the video:

It was recorded from WBIR's Inside Tennessee on Octover 15 2006. If WBIR objects, I'll remove them from YouTube. This week's program was extended to one hour, so I broke it down to 8 parts. 1-4 are Corker and 5-8 are Ford.

Part 1: Link...

Part 2: Link...

Part 3: Link...

Part 4: Link...

Part 5: Link...

Part 6: Link...

Part 7: Link...

Part 8: Link...

Video was just uploaded, so it may take the normal YouTube wait for the to show up.

Katie and the WBIR team done a great job with the show! Thanks!

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.

More information about formatting options

Captcha
This question is used to make sure you are a human visitor and to prevent spam submissions.
Copy the characters (respecting upper/lower case) from the image.
Blog-O-Rama

Patriotic ... in the sense of citizen protest
(Jack Lail)

I just don't have any words for this....
(Left Wing Cracker)

Happy 4th & About Nashville's Fireworks Celebration
(TN Guerilla Women)

R.I.P. Steve McNair
(Silence Isn't Golden)

Bela Fleck's Star Spangled Banner
(Cup of Joe Powell)

Kingston's Going to Smoke the Ash Spill Today
(Enclave)

What I Learned In The News This Week
(Newscoma)

There Can Only Be One
(Newscoma)

Sarah Palin - Train Wrecks Get Top Ratings
(Cup of Joe Powell)

Play Her Off, Keyboard Cat
(Southern Beale)

Feel Good Independence Day
(Silence Isn't Golden)

The Sicko Attacks on Sarah Palin's Baby
(TN Guerilla Women)

KNS: Ash to be Dumped in Loudon?
(RoaneViews)

Jump!
(Domestic Psychology)

Now she 's done it, now I have to go nuclear!
(Left Wing Cracker)


Media Blogs

Titans Legend Steve McNair Found Shot and Killed in Downtown Apartment Complex
(Pith in the Wind)

AG: Political Firings Could Have Fiscal Impact on Counties
(Tom Humphrey)

Happy Fourth of July
(Michael Silence)

Happy
(Michael Silence)

This is a joke, right? Top 25 sports outings in TN
(Michael Silence)

Just curious
(Michael Silence)

Memo to the Republican Governors Association
(Michael Silence)

Son of Big Box
(Josh Flory)

TVA Tries Sending Inspection Reports Directly to Landfills
(Snark Bites)

The Wa$hington Po$t
(Michael Silence)

Chapter 11 for condo developer
(Josh Flory)

Gone Fishin': Pith is Off Today
(Pith in the Wind)

Thoughts On Kyle's Kinda, Sorta Kickoff for Governor
(Tom Humphrey)

Bredesen Lectures Legislators on License Plates -- Again
(Tom Humphrey)

Robin Has a Website
(Tom Humphrey)


Post Politics

Proving Her Critics Right
(AC Kleinheider)

Makes As Much Sense As Anything I’ve Heard Yet
(AC Kleinheider)

Resigned On The 3rd Of July: Sarah Palin Steps Down As Governor
(AC Kleinheider)

Like He Never Existed
(AC Kleinheider)

You’re Light, Son
(AC Kleinheider)

Can Jim Kyle Win The Democratic Nomination For Governor?
(AC Kleinheider)

Shout Out To Tuke
(AC Kleinheider)

Alexander Wishes You A Happy Independence Day
(AC Kleinheider)

Cammack, North Of Two Hundie
(AC Kleinheider)

Ford Dynasty Member Says He’ll Make A Run At Memphis Mayor
(AC Kleinheider)


Local News

Woman on holiday outing drowns in Douglas Lake
(Knoxville News Sentinel)

Woman dies in wreck on Chapman Highway
(Knoxville News Sentinel)

Drownings reminder to use pool alarms, gates and buddies
(Knoxville News Sentinel)

TWRA plans extra boat patrols
(Knoxville News Sentinel)

Father's fraud followed son's debt woes
(Knoxville News Sentinel)

Downtown condo developer files bankruptcy
(Knoxville News Sentinel Business)

Auto fallout still felt locally
(Knoxville News Sentinel Business)

Loudon residents fight against ash disposal
(Knoxville News Sentinel Business)

Hospital management at issue in Claiborne County
(Knoxville News Sentinel Business)

Tazewell hospital proposals to be heard Monday
(Knoxville News Sentinel Business)

Governor Bredesen Issues Writ of Election
(State of Tennessee)

Bredesen Breaks Ground on Recovery Act Project in Nashville
(State of Tennessee)

Extended Unemployment Benefits Available for Eligible Tennesseans
(State of Tennessee)

THP Gears Up For July 4th Weekend Crackdown on Drunk Drivers
(State of Tennessee)

Tennessee Announces 2009-10 School Meal Guidelines
(State of Tennessee)

Some East Tennesseans celebrate independence with tea parties
(WATE local)

Blount County K-9 officer loses battle with cancer
(WATE local)

Deadly Knoxville shooting and police pursuit ends in crash
(WATE local)

Stripper upset kidnapping, rape charges were dropped
(WATE local)

Family's gas grill explodes catching house on fire
(WATE local)

Former UT football player killed in tree cutting accident
(WBIR Local)

Hundreds gather for Athens TEA Party
(WBIR Local)

Festival on the Fourth gears up at World's Fair Park
(WBIR Local)

Former Titans quarterback Steve McNair found dead in Nashville
(WBIR Local)

Crews recover woman's body from Douglas Lake
(WBIR Local)

Beefing up patrols on Tennessee highways
(WVLT Local)

Honduras rejects OAS appeal to restore president
(WVLT Local)

UPDATE: Police investigate deadly shooting, high speed chase and crash
(WVLT Local)

SKorea says NKorea fires 2 missiles off east coast
(WVLT Local)

Woman drowns in Douglas Lake, alcohol believed to be a factor
(WVLT Local)


Wire Reports

Obama says Iraq will see difficult days ahead (AP)
(AP Politics)

Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' (AP)
(AP National News)

Obama's backyard bash (Politico)
(AP Politics)

Obama says U.S. a strong partner of Iraq despite pullout (Reuters)
(AP Politics)

Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' (AP)
(AP Politics)

Ghana, but not forgotten (Politico)
(AP Politics)

Former NFL quarterback McNair killed in Tennessee (AP)
(AP National News)

Fireworks explosion on NC island kills 2, hurts 3 (AP)
(AP National News)

Obama says supports Kremlin chief on more freedoms (Reuters)
(AP Politics)

Soldier who fought in pink boxers home for the 4th (AP)
(AP National News)

Palin keeps low-profile after plan to resign (AP)
(AP National News)

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Archives' record-keeping lapse (AP)
(AP Politics)

Obama, McCain give dueling holiday addresses (AP)
(AP Politics)

Palin fires back at press on Facebook (Politico)
(AP Politics)

Chestnut wins NY hot dog eating match, 3d in row (AP)
(AP National News)

Colin Powell cautions Obama on big government (AP)
(AP Politics)

Obama's trip: A mission to reshape US image (AP)
(AP Politics)

More than 1 million seek tix for Jackson memorial (AP)
(AP National News)

Analysis: Palin's resignation raises questions (AP)
(AP Politics)

Curious Russia prepares to welcome Obama (AFP)
(AP Politics)