|
Harold Ford on War & Peace
Former Democratic Representative (TN-9, 1997-2007)
|
Divide up Iraq into Sunni, Shia & Kurd regions
Q: How will you end the war in Iraq and bring the troops home? FORD: The stay-the-course strategy that Pres. Bush has pursued for 3 years is not working. There are other options, other than stay-the-course or cut-and-run. I believe that we can
decentralize Iraq and still keep it together. Divide the country into three regions--Sunni, Shia, Kurd--give each regional autonomy, and help create a central government with authority over the borders and the ability to divide the oil revenue equally.
FORD: A month ago, Corker said we should stay the course. I don’t believe we should do that. Decentralization, modeled after Bosnia, would reduce the violence and let the people build the country their way
Source: 2006 TN Senate debate, at University of Chattanooga
Oct 10, 2006
If you want to stay the course, I’m not your guy
For four years we have stayed the course. If you want to stay the course, I’m not your guy. If you believe America is better than what they have given us in the last six years, I’m asking for your vote.
Source: 2006 TN Senate debate, at University of Chattanooga
Oct 10, 2006
Bush failed to define serious long-term nature of Iraq
Ford made his fourth visit to Iraq and heard positive reports from the troops there. “Morale this time was higher than it’s ever been,” he said. “The mood was good,” said Ford. Ford said Pres. Bush did a poor job at the outset of the war
communicating to the American people the serious long-term nature of US involvement in Iraq, and was too quick to declare victory in the military conflict. “He declared it over long before it was over,” said Ford.
Source: Campaign website, www.haroldfordjr.com, press release
Jan 20, 2006
Voted NO on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date.
Voting YES would support the following resolution (excerpted): - Whereas the United States and its allies are engaged in a Global War on Terror, a long and demanding struggle against an adversary that is driven by hatred of American values and that is committed to imposing, by the use of terror, its repressive ideology throughout the world;
- Whereas the terrorists have declared Iraq to be the central front in their war against all who oppose their ideology;
- Whereas the United States and its Coalition partners will continue to support Iraq as part of the Global War on Terror:
Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives--- Honors all those Americans who have taken an active part in the Global War on Terror;
- Declares that it is not in the national security interest of the United States to set an arbitrary date for the withdrawal or redeployment of United States Armed Forces from Iraq;
- Declares that the United States is committed to the completion of
the mission to create a sovereign, free, secure, and united Iraq;
- Declares that the United States will prevail in the Global War on Terror, the noble struggle to protect freedom from the terrorist adversary.
Reference: Resolution on Prevailing in the Global War on Terror;
Bill HRES 861
; vote number 2006-288
on Jun 12, 2006
Voted YES on approving removal of Saddam & valiant service of US troops.
States that the House of Representatives: - affirms that the United States and the world have been made safer with the removal of Saddam Hussein and his regime from power in Iraq;
- commends the Iraqi people for their courage in the face of unspeakable oppression and brutality inflicted on them by Saddam Hussein's regime;
- commends the Iraqi people on the adoption of Iraq's interim constitution; and
- commends the members of the U.S. Armed Forces and Coalition forces for liberating Iraq and expresses its gratitude for their valiant service.
Reference: War in Iraq Anniversary resolution;
Bill H Res 557
; vote number 2004-64
on Mar 17, 2004
Voted YES on authorizing military force in Iraq.
Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq: Passage of the joint resolution that would authorize President Bush to use the US military as he deems necessary and appropriate to defend U.S. national security against Iraq and enforce UN Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. It would be required that the president report to Congress, no later than 48 hours after using force, his determination that diplomatic options or other peaceful means would not guarantee US national security against Iraq or allow enforcement of UN resolutions and that using force is consistent with anti-terrorism efforts. The resolution would also give specific statutory authorization under the War Powers Resolution. Every 60 days the president would also be required to report to Congress on actions related to the resolution.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Hastert,R-IL;
Bill HJRes114
; vote number 2002-455
on Oct 10, 2002
Voted NO on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo.
Vote on an amendment to the "Kosovo and Southwest Asia Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act" which would prohibit the use of funds for any invasion of Yugoslavia with U.S. ground forces except in time of war.
Reference: Amendment introduced by Istook, R-OK;
Bill HR 1664
; vote number 1999-119
on May 6, 1999
Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism.
Ford co-sponsored the Resolution on bigotry against Sikh Americans:
Title: Condemning bigotry and violence against Sikh Americans in the wake of terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.
Summary: Declares that, in the quest to identify, locate, and bring to justice the perpetrators and sponsors of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the civil rights and liberties of all Americans, including Sikh-Americans, should be protected.
- Condemns bigotry and acts of violence or discrimination against any Americans, including Sikh-Americans.
- Calls upon local and Federal law enforcement authorities to: (1) work to prevent hate crimes against all Americans; and (2) prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all those who commit hate crimes.
Source: House Resolution Sponsorship 01-HR255 on Oct 4, 2001
Page last updated: Nov 26, 2010