Harold Ford Jr. returned to Knoxville today as the local Dem party hosted him for an appreciation luncheon at the Foundry. Over 280 folks attended and gave him a standing ovation welcome. He spoke on some of the themes from the campaign such as energy independence and healthcare. He told how he was just yesterday talking to Speaker Pelosi and new majority leader Steny Hoyer to urge them not to seek retribution on the Republicans thru hearings and investigations. That will be a losing message in 2008. He urged the party to not lower themselves to the mean-spiritned approach which the Republicans ran Washington the last 12 years. He urged us all to rise above it. He did not mention any specific future plans, other than he'll return to Washington "someday" and that 2008 is very close. (Note: Sign up for the Knox Dem email newsletter at www.knoxdemocrats.org)