Harold Ford, Jr. - I'd like to make a request.

Ok, a front page piece in the Chattanooga Times Free Press today gives a surprisingly fair reading of Corker's attacks on Ford as a liberal, and Ford's actual position.  Great.  But, deep inside, where the column is continued on page A6, is a quote from Ford that has rather disquieted me in my support for him. Here it is:

Liberals in Washington think I'm too conservative because I love Jesus and I'm head of the faith-based caucus, and I like the military.  I support spending on them.

Problem One:  It is a lie.   Most liberals who think that Ford is too conservative also think that Jimmy Carter is just right, and Carter loves Jesus at least as much as Ford does.  The same group likes everybody from John Kerry to Hillary Clinton, and these guys like spending on the troops (probably more so than their conservative counterparts these days).  The people who think that Ford is too conservative absolutely love Jim Webb - and check out this ad supporting him.  Ok, so Ford's statement is a lie.

Problem Two:  It's a lie crafted by Republicans from Nixon to Atwater to Reed to Rove for no other purpose but to smear and demonize Democrats and boost their own electoral chances.

Ouch.  Why would someone who depends on Democratic support be so quick to dishonestly undermine his party in order to boost his own electoral chances?  Don't know.  Ask Joe Lieberman.  I'd like to request something of Ford... I'll e-mail this to his campaign & see what I hear back.  Here's a radical suggestion:  Boost your conservative creds in any number of legitimate ways.  For your resume, without accusing liberals of hating Jesus and the troops:

You are against so-called partial birth abortion, even when the baby is brain-dead from hydroencephaly and it is the safest option available to save the life of the woman.  So say it - "I'm against 'partial birth' abortion." (At least be honest enough to use the scare quotes.)

You are against inclusive legal institutions for gays, despite being of a race that was once itself excluded from equal access to the legal institutions.  So say it, "I voted to ban gay marriage."

You are for faith based social initiatives, even though the ultimate result is that our tax money goes to support the proselytization efforts of religious groups that we do not necessarily support.  So say it: "I'm for faith based initiatives"... Ok - you did that one already... fine.

You voted, without apology, to give Bush authorization (really, a blank check) to invade Iraq.  Say it.

And earn yourself a pro-gun voting record for next time, so you can say, "I won the endorsement of the American Hunters and Shooters association"... or even the NRA (wholly owned subsidiary of the GOP and gun manufacturers association).

But... when you talk about how much you love Jesus, tell 'em you love Jesus just like many from both sides of the political spectrum.  And when you talk about how you love the troops, tell 'em you love 'em just like many from both sides of the political spectrum.

Clean it up, please.  I want to support someone electable who will caucus with the Democrats.