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American Morning
Interview with Alex St. James, Harold Ford
Aired December 13, 2002 - 07:18 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The Trent Lott controversy has certainly taken on a life of its own. Moving forward now, the question remains, and facing Republicans as well, whether or not their Senate leader has become a liability. Should, then, he stay, or should he step back from that position?
Both sides this morning, in Washington, Alex St. James with the African-American Republican Leadership Council, and in New York with us, Democrat Congressman Harold Ford from Tennessee.
Gentlemen, good morning to both of you -- good to have you with us.
ALEX ST. JAMES, AFRICAN-AMERICAN REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: Good morning.
REP. HAROLD FORD (D), TENNESSEE: Good morning.
HEMMER: As we continue to delve into this, I want to go to Mr. St. James first.
When the president comes out and publicly rebukes you, do you stand a fighting chance to continue in that leadership role?
ST. JAMES: Well, certainly, I think the president did the right thing to come out and speak on the comments of what the senator did, and it was the right thing to do. However, this is not about what Senator Lott has done. It's not about his comments at all, and the congressmen will tell you that this is all about politics at its worst.
This is political grandstanding, and the Democrats know this. What they couldn't do on November 5, they're trying to undo here now, and that's just unconscionable in my opinion.
HEMMER: Congressman Ford, what about that? Just politics, politics as usual, looking for trouble?
FORD: Now, Senator Lott, this really -- you've done a disserve in some ways, even CNN has, about suggesting that only the African- American Leadership Council and African-American congressmen are concerned.
Rush Limbaugh and the Family Research Council and I think hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Americans of all different backgrounds are offended by what Senator Lott said. Understand what he said. He suggested that the segregationist candidate in 1948 -- who I might add, Senator Thurmond, who has distanced himself from that moment some 54 years ago -- should have been elected to the United States -- or should have been elected the president of the United States.
And in his explanation of that, Bill, he suggested that there were redeeming parts, appealing parts of Senator Thurmond's platform back in 1948, that his call for limited government and a strong defense...
HEMMER: So, you're saying that Trent Lott's a racist, is that right?
FORD: No, no, no, I'm saying his comments suggests something much deeper. In addition, this is not the first time that Senator Lott has found himself embroiled in this.
ST. JAMES: Congressman? Congressman, where was your outrage six weeks ago when your former (UNINTELLIGIBLE), Bill Clinton, in Arkansas called Jay William Fullbright, a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) segregationist, his mentor and visionary, a visionary, a humanitarian? I see selective moral outrage on your part here.
FORD: Mr...
ST. JAMES: No one is condoning -- no one is condoning the statements here of the senator, but it's totally...
HEMMER: We got your point, Mr. St. James.
(CROSSTALK)
FORD: The question is whether or not the Republican Party is willing to put it all on the line for Senator Lott. Senator Lott is not indispensable to the Senate working or to Congress working, or even to Washington working. If, indeed, Senator Lott stays as majority leader, it says a lot about Republicans.
And quite frankly, my party, from a partisan standpoint, would probably be delighted if he stayed, but as an American and as someone who has to work with Senator Lott on issues as vital as national security and what we do with North Korea and now the Iranian situation, and as someone who will have to work with him to craft an economic policy, or I should say, a near-term or short-term stimulus package for the economy, it's just not in the best interest of the country, the Congress, the Senate, for that matter, to have someone in that position.
HEMMER: Got it. What about that, Mr. St. James? Is he a liability at this point the Republicans cannot afford to continue with?
ST. JAMES: Actually, I think not. The senator has done a great job in the United States Senate. A lot of his programs have actually benefited African-Americans, and I have a slew of things I could point to. I want to ask the congressman, what exactly can he point to that the Democrat Party in the session -- or previous sessions have done for African -Americans? Can you name anything?
This is not about the senator's comments. It was repugnant and wrong. He has apologized, and I accept his deep regrets and repudiation of the statements he made. This is politics at its best.
HEMMER: I understand the challenge there. In the 30 seconds left, Congressman Ford, what has Republicans done for African- Americans in America?
FORD: This has very little to do with that, Bill, and if I was Alex, I'd probably be reading from this same talking point. The reality is a few days ago, Senator Lott suggested to America that Mississippi and him voted for a segregationist candidate, Senator Thurmond.
I find it very curious that Senator Thurmond has not come out to defend, explain or even associate himself with what Senator Lott said. I'll tell you why he hasn't. He has run away and distanced himself from what he stood for some 54 years ago.
And for the best interest of the country, for the party and for the Senate, Senator Lott ought to step aside as leader, allow a new leader to be elected...
ST. JAMES: Congressman, if you...
FORD: ... and allow the Congress to get on with its business.
ST. JAMES: Congressman, with all...
(CROSSTALK)
HEMMER: Gentlemen, (UNINTELLIGIBLE), we've got to run. Harold Ford, congressman from Tennessee, Alex St. James...
FORD: Thank you.
ST. JAMES: You should have won on November 5 to determine the leadership, Congressman.
HEMMER: Sneaky, little answer there. Thank you, gentlemen -- have a good weekend.
FORD: Thank you.
HEMMER: Get it in one way or the other.
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 December 13, 2002 - 07:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The Trent Lott controversy has certainly taken on a life of its own. Moving forward now, the question remains, and facing Republicans as well, whether or not their Senate leader has become a liability. Should, then, he stay, or should he step back from that position?
Both sides this morning, in Washington, Alex St. James with the African-American Republican Leadership Council, and in New York with us, Democrat Congressman Harold Ford from Tennessee.
Gentlemen, good morning to both of you -- good to have you with us.
ALEX ST. JAMES, AFRICAN-AMERICAN REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: Good morning.
REP. HAROLD FORD (D), TENNESSEE: Good morning.
HEMMER: As we continue to delve into this, I want to go to Mr. St. James first.
When the president comes out and publicly rebukes you, do you stand a fighting chance to continue in that leadership role?
ST. JAMES: Well, certainly, I think the president did the right thing to come out and speak on the comments of what the senator did, and it was the right thing to do. However, this is not about what Senator Lott has done. It's not about his comments at all, and the congressmen will tell you that this is all about politics at its worst.
This is political grandstanding, and the Democrats know this. What they couldn't do on November 5, they're trying to undo here now, and that's just unconscionable in my opinion.
HEMMER: Congressman Ford, what about that? Just politics, politics as usual, looking for trouble?
FORD: Now, Senator Lott, this really -- you've done a disserve in some ways, even CNN has, about suggesting that only the African- American Leadership Council and African-American congressmen are concerned.
Rush Limbaugh and the Family Research Council and I think hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Americans of all different backgrounds are offended by what Senator Lott said. Understand what he said. He suggested that the segregationist candidate in 1948 -- who I might add, Senator Thurmond, who has distanced himself from that moment some 54 years ago -- should have been elected to the United States -- or should have been elected the president of the United States.
And in his explanation of that, Bill, he suggested that there were redeeming parts, appealing parts of Senator Thurmond's platform back in 1948, that his call for limited government and a strong defense...
HEMMER: So, you're saying that Trent Lott's a racist, is that right?
FORD: No, no, no, I'm saying his comments suggests something much deeper. In addition, this is not the first time that Senator Lott has found himself embroiled in this.
ST. JAMES: Congressman? Congressman, where was your outrage six weeks ago when your former (UNINTELLIGIBLE), Bill Clinton, in Arkansas called Jay William Fullbright, a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) segregationist, his mentor and visionary, a visionary, a humanitarian? I see selective moral outrage on your part here.
FORD: Mr...
ST. JAMES: No one is condoning -- no one is condoning the statements here of the senator, but it's totally...
HEMMER: We got your point, Mr. St. James.
(CROSSTALK)
FORD: The question is whether or not the Republican Party is willing to put it all on the line for Senator Lott. Senator Lott is not indispensable to the Senate working or to Congress working, or even to Washington working. If, indeed, Senator Lott stays as majority leader, it says a lot about Republicans.
And quite frankly, my party, from a partisan standpoint, would probably be delighted if he stayed, but as an American and as someone who has to work with Senator Lott on issues as vital as national security and what we do with North Korea and now the Iranian situation, and as someone who will have to work with him to craft an economic policy, or I should say, a near-term or short-term stimulus package for the economy, it's just not in the best interest of the country, the Congress, the Senate, for that matter, to have someone in that position.
HEMMER: Got it. What about that, Mr. St. James? Is he a liability at this point the Republicans cannot afford to continue with?
ST. JAMES: Actually, I think not. The senator has done a great job in the United States Senate. A lot of his programs have actually benefited African-Americans, and I have a slew of things I could point to. I want to ask the congressman, what exactly can he point to that the Democrat Party in the session -- or previous sessions have done for African -Americans? Can you name anything?
This is not about the senator's comments. It was repugnant and wrong. He has apologized, and I accept his deep regrets and repudiation of the statements he made. This is politics at its best.
HEMMER: I understand the challenge there. In the 30 seconds left, Congressman Ford, what has Republicans done for African- Americans in America?
FORD: This has very little to do with that, Bill, and if I was Alex, I'd probably be reading from this same talking point. The reality is a few days ago, Senator Lott suggested to America that Mississippi and him voted for a segregationist candidate, Senator Thurmond.
I find it very curious that Senator Thurmond has not come out to defend, explain or even associate himself with what Senator Lott said. I'll tell you why he hasn't. He has run away and distanced himself from what he stood for some 54 years ago.
And for the best interest of the country, for the party and for the Senate, Senator Lott ought to step aside as leader, allow a new leader to be elected...
ST. JAMES: Congressman, if you...
FORD: ... and allow the Congress to get on with its business.
ST. JAMES: Congressman, with all...
(CROSSTALK)
HEMMER: Gentlemen, (UNINTELLIGIBLE), we've got to run. Harold Ford, congressman from Tennessee, Alex St. James...
FORD: Thank you.
ST. JAMES: You should have won on November 5 to determine the leadership, Congressman.
HEMMER: Sneaky, little answer there. Thank you, gentlemen -- have a good weekend.
FORD: Thank you.
HEMMER: Get it in one way or the other.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
