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American Morning

Interview with Rep. Harold Ford

Aired November 11, 2002 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: So let's move on to the political debate surrounding the whole issue of war and the war on terror and a potential war with Iraq, who will lead the Democrats in the House of Representatives, after the setbacks, the party suffered in the midterm elections?
Well, you probably know that Nancy Pelosi of California is heavily favored to succeed Dick Gephardt in Missouri, as minority leader, when House democrats vote on Thursday. But she's facing a challenge from Harold Ford, Jr., of Tennessee, and he says the race is not over. And Congressman Ford joins us now from Washington. Good to see you again.

Welcome back.

REPRESENTATIVE HAROLD FORD, JR., D-TENNESSEE: Good morning, glad to be here.

ZAHN: So congressman, if you listen to Nancy Pelosi, and that's what we're going to do right now, she makes it sound like she, pretty much, has this wrapped up. Let's listen.

FORD: All right.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REPRESENTATIVE NANCY PELOSI, D-CALIFORNIA: On Thursday, the leader announced that he would not stand for re-election for House leader. We went right into action then, and 24 hours, had the commitment of over a majority of the caucus, public commitments, an overwhelming majority of our colleagues supporting my candidacy.

It is over. And as I respectfully always say, though, the votes belong to our colleagues, until they cast them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZAHN: All right. Representative, Ford, you heard those salient three words "it is over." Nancy Pelosi publicly, at least, publicly has the support of 111 of the 203 newly elected House Democrats. Do you stand a chance here?

FORD: Well, she was right. The race is over, when she's referring to her and Martin Frost. That was her former opponent. But it's a new race now. And as I talk to many of my colleagues, they've expressed two or three things. One, Paula, they want change. They recognize what occurred on November 5th was not only a wake-up call to Democrats and the country, in particular, to my party, but really called for a shake-up in the party.

Two, many of my colleagues who have expressed support for Ms. Pelosi are not doing it because of any genuine excitement or passion for the issues that's she's espoused, since being in the Congress, but are doing it because they think she may have the votes to win.

And three, I can tell you, it's not over. Many of my colleagues and friends and colleagues are coming off that list. I'm not publishing a list, because I think we've gotten to a sort of a grid (ph) here in the Congress we asked people to sign pledges and publish names. I'm not going to do that.

I can tell you this, though, the race is not over. People are excited about my candidacy, momentum is growing. We've been in this race for only three days. And I tell you, our motto and message of change and change and change is resonating with my colleagues and, for that matter, Democrats across the country.

ZAHN: If you don't get the job and Nancy Pelosi does, what do you think will be the impact on your party?

FORD: Well, I think it's important that the party at this time have a discussion and debate about the direction we want to head. Nancy and Dick have been leaders of this party for some time, and I think they're great people. They've worked hard. They're passionate, but they couldn't win.

I draw the analogy of a baseball team. If you have a manager who's beloved by his players, revered by the management, even by the fans, but if he can't win ball games you move him on. And as great as Nancy and Dick may have been, it's time for some new ideas and new faces to find their way the leadership.

I think one of the things Democrats will have to do over the next two years is to not only oppose this president and oppose Republicans, which I can do, with all the passion and fervor of any Democrat, but provide and offer an alternative course for Democrats to follow and for the nation to follow. I think we failed to do that this last election cycle and that was one of the primary reasons we were not successful across the country.

ZAHN: You are considered by some to be a social conservative, a blue-dog Democrat, and you stood with the president on his Iraq war resolution, and a senior member of the Black Caucus. And fellow Democrat John Conyers had this to say...

FORD: Sure.

ZAHN: ... to "The Washington Post" basically saying that's not going to fly in your case. Quote, " I don't think anybody is going to become the next minority leader of the Democrats that wants to go along with Bush on the war."

What do you have to say about that?

FORD: You said "social conservative," I think you meant fiscal conservative and probably socially more moderate.

John Conyers is a...

ZAHN: Actually, I wasn't characterizing, I was just repeating some of the characterizations of folks within your party.

FORD: Right, I'm...

ZAHN: Good distinction to make.

FORD: social -- right. I'm pro-choice. And so, when I think we use those -- use that probably as a way to measure, but John Conyers has every right to make that point. I think the vote that I cast and 80 Democrats and some 290 and almost-90 members of the Congress cast in favor of that resolution, really strengthened America's hand before the U.N. It Gave Colin Powell an opportunity to secure votes and to negotiate, again, and to secure votes and even gain the vote of Syria.

Saddam Hussein now, if he refuses, U.N. weapons inspectors, refuses to disarm, not only will he face implications or I should say repercussions from America, but the world community will join us in that effort.

I'll say this, though, the run for minority leader is not about one vote -- is not about one vote. We can probably point to several votes in my six-year past, as well as Nancy's 16-year past, and say I don't agree with that or I agree with this. This is about the direction of the party, the fervor in which the leader will bring to this position. And frankly, the leader's ability to return us to the majority. I say return for some members, but for the majority of members now on the democratic side, we've never seen the majority.

I want to stop playing defense. I want to stop being in the minority. And I think one way to do that -- and as I've said to my colleagues over the last three days, is that we need a change and a change at the top. And my candidacy, frankly, is the only real change or the only embodiment of real change in this race.

ZAHN: Representative Ford, just in closing here, I wanted to call your attention to these horrible storms that have affected the Southeast...

FORD: Terrible.

ZAHN: ...in particular, your state. We just had one of your emergency management people get on the air and say that believe 12 tornadoes hit within the hour. You've got this area northwest of Knoxville, Mossy Grove, where it is believed that 150 people are missing.

Can give us an update on that?

FORD: I have not spoken with the emergency management personnel back in the state. I understand we're going to have a call here in about an hour, 10:30 Eastern time. My district is on the other side of the state. But as you can imagine, every Tennessean is concerned and worried. These are acts of god, which I wish we in Washington or, for that matter, state capitols, could have some control over. But what we do have control over is being able to respond and react. And it's my hope that not only can TEMA, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, but FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Association will act swiftly and quickly to help people move on and repair homes and, more importantly, repair lives.

This race here in the Congress is important for minority leader. But what's happening back in my state and, for that matter, across the country, is far more important. My prayers are with them and certainly, we'll do everything we can here to help Tennessee and all the other states affected by these storms.

ZAHN: Yes. Cecil Whaley of the emergency team there in your state was saying that....

FORD. He's a good man, by the way.

ZAHN: ... people told him that he thinks an F-5 tornado hit your state last night.

FORD: I think a few have scattered across the state. It's been terrible. Even here in Washington, we were under tornado watch and tornado warnings this morning.

ZAHN: Well, we wish your state the best of luck.

FORD: Thank you.

ZAHN: Those pictures are just heartbreaking to look at.

FORD: Can I also say happy veteran's day to all the veterans. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to even for leader here in the House. Thank you for your service.

ZAHN: OK. Representative Harold Ford. Thank you for your time this morning. Appreciate it very much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired November 11, 2002 - 09:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: So let's move on to the political debate surrounding the whole issue of war and the war on terror and a potential war with Iraq, who will lead the Democrats in the House of Representatives, after the setbacks, the party suffered in the midterm elections?
Well, you probably know that Nancy Pelosi of California is heavily favored to succeed Dick Gephardt in Missouri, as minority leader, when House democrats vote on Thursday. But she's facing a challenge from Harold Ford, Jr., of Tennessee, and he says the race is not over. And Congressman Ford joins us now from Washington. Good to see you again.

Welcome back.

REPRESENTATIVE HAROLD FORD, JR., D-TENNESSEE: Good morning, glad to be here.

ZAHN: So congressman, if you listen to Nancy Pelosi, and that's what we're going to do right now, she makes it sound like she, pretty much, has this wrapped up. Let's listen.

FORD: All right.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REPRESENTATIVE NANCY PELOSI, D-CALIFORNIA: On Thursday, the leader announced that he would not stand for re-election for House leader. We went right into action then, and 24 hours, had the commitment of over a majority of the caucus, public commitments, an overwhelming majority of our colleagues supporting my candidacy.

It is over. And as I respectfully always say, though, the votes belong to our colleagues, until they cast them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZAHN: All right. Representative, Ford, you heard those salient three words "it is over." Nancy Pelosi publicly, at least, publicly has the support of 111 of the 203 newly elected House Democrats. Do you stand a chance here?

FORD: Well, she was right. The race is over, when she's referring to her and Martin Frost. That was her former opponent. But it's a new race now. And as I talk to many of my colleagues, they've expressed two or three things. One, Paula, they want change. They recognize what occurred on November 5th was not only a wake-up call to Democrats and the country, in particular, to my party, but really called for a shake-up in the party.

Two, many of my colleagues who have expressed support for Ms. Pelosi are not doing it because of any genuine excitement or passion for the issues that's she's espoused, since being in the Congress, but are doing it because they think she may have the votes to win.

And three, I can tell you, it's not over. Many of my colleagues and friends and colleagues are coming off that list. I'm not publishing a list, because I think we've gotten to a sort of a grid (ph) here in the Congress we asked people to sign pledges and publish names. I'm not going to do that.

I can tell you this, though, the race is not over. People are excited about my candidacy, momentum is growing. We've been in this race for only three days. And I tell you, our motto and message of change and change and change is resonating with my colleagues and, for that matter, Democrats across the country.

ZAHN: If you don't get the job and Nancy Pelosi does, what do you think will be the impact on your party?

FORD: Well, I think it's important that the party at this time have a discussion and debate about the direction we want to head. Nancy and Dick have been leaders of this party for some time, and I think they're great people. They've worked hard. They're passionate, but they couldn't win.

I draw the analogy of a baseball team. If you have a manager who's beloved by his players, revered by the management, even by the fans, but if he can't win ball games you move him on. And as great as Nancy and Dick may have been, it's time for some new ideas and new faces to find their way the leadership.

I think one of the things Democrats will have to do over the next two years is to not only oppose this president and oppose Republicans, which I can do, with all the passion and fervor of any Democrat, but provide and offer an alternative course for Democrats to follow and for the nation to follow. I think we failed to do that this last election cycle and that was one of the primary reasons we were not successful across the country.

ZAHN: You are considered by some to be a social conservative, a blue-dog Democrat, and you stood with the president on his Iraq war resolution, and a senior member of the Black Caucus. And fellow Democrat John Conyers had this to say...

FORD: Sure.

ZAHN: ... to "The Washington Post" basically saying that's not going to fly in your case. Quote, " I don't think anybody is going to become the next minority leader of the Democrats that wants to go along with Bush on the war."

What do you have to say about that?

FORD: You said "social conservative," I think you meant fiscal conservative and probably socially more moderate.

John Conyers is a...

ZAHN: Actually, I wasn't characterizing, I was just repeating some of the characterizations of folks within your party.

FORD: Right, I'm...

ZAHN: Good distinction to make.

FORD: social -- right. I'm pro-choice. And so, when I think we use those -- use that probably as a way to measure, but John Conyers has every right to make that point. I think the vote that I cast and 80 Democrats and some 290 and almost-90 members of the Congress cast in favor of that resolution, really strengthened America's hand before the U.N. It Gave Colin Powell an opportunity to secure votes and to negotiate, again, and to secure votes and even gain the vote of Syria.

Saddam Hussein now, if he refuses, U.N. weapons inspectors, refuses to disarm, not only will he face implications or I should say repercussions from America, but the world community will join us in that effort.

I'll say this, though, the run for minority leader is not about one vote -- is not about one vote. We can probably point to several votes in my six-year past, as well as Nancy's 16-year past, and say I don't agree with that or I agree with this. This is about the direction of the party, the fervor in which the leader will bring to this position. And frankly, the leader's ability to return us to the majority. I say return for some members, but for the majority of members now on the democratic side, we've never seen the majority.

I want to stop playing defense. I want to stop being in the minority. And I think one way to do that -- and as I've said to my colleagues over the last three days, is that we need a change and a change at the top. And my candidacy, frankly, is the only real change or the only embodiment of real change in this race.

ZAHN: Representative Ford, just in closing here, I wanted to call your attention to these horrible storms that have affected the Southeast...

FORD: Terrible.

ZAHN: ...in particular, your state. We just had one of your emergency management people get on the air and say that believe 12 tornadoes hit within the hour. You've got this area northwest of Knoxville, Mossy Grove, where it is believed that 150 people are missing.

Can give us an update on that?

FORD: I have not spoken with the emergency management personnel back in the state. I understand we're going to have a call here in about an hour, 10:30 Eastern time. My district is on the other side of the state. But as you can imagine, every Tennessean is concerned and worried. These are acts of god, which I wish we in Washington or, for that matter, state capitols, could have some control over. But what we do have control over is being able to respond and react. And it's my hope that not only can TEMA, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, but FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Association will act swiftly and quickly to help people move on and repair homes and, more importantly, repair lives.

This race here in the Congress is important for minority leader. But what's happening back in my state and, for that matter, across the country, is far more important. My prayers are with them and certainly, we'll do everything we can here to help Tennessee and all the other states affected by these storms.

ZAHN: Yes. Cecil Whaley of the emergency team there in your state was saying that....

FORD. He's a good man, by the way.

ZAHN: ... people told him that he thinks an F-5 tornado hit your state last night.

FORD: I think a few have scattered across the state. It's been terrible. Even here in Washington, we were under tornado watch and tornado warnings this morning.

ZAHN: Well, we wish your state the best of luck.

FORD: Thank you.

ZAHN: Those pictures are just heartbreaking to look at.

FORD: Can I also say happy veteran's day to all the veterans. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to even for leader here in the House. Thank you for your service.

ZAHN: OK. Representative Harold Ford. Thank you for your time this morning. Appreciate it very much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com