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Contact:            Tom Guleff

                        (901) 246-5123

                        electtomguleff@aol.com

                        www.tomguleff.com

Letter to the Editor  

Jake Ford, Indepedent

Why is Jake Ford not a Democrat?  

What a difference two years make. In 2004, Jake Ford (I), brother of Harold Ford, Jr. (Democratic candidate for the Senate) was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. In fact, Jake had the coveted honor of being a delegate in the h al l for John Kerry, during the Democratic Convention in 2004 .

 What caused Jake to split from the Democratic Party and become and Independent candidate? What were the major issues that caused this to occur? When a politician switches parties this is usu al ly a result of a simm erin g battle or an explosive event in which the candidate can no longer support the parties efforts. A fundament al shift in either the party or the candidate's belief is usu al ly the cat al yst that catapults this type of "about face" into motion.

  This party switch is a major event, since Jake and his family have given so much to the Democratic Party. For Jake Ford to go back to the Democratic Party would be disingenuous and unfair to those loy al to the party during thick and thin, regardless of person al ambition or circumstances. A movement cannot be led by those who jump ship whenever the water starts to pour in. 

 Leadership is about being uncomfortable at times. Leadership is about being in the eye of the storm. Leadership requires a strong belief in principles, and actions to choose the harder right, than the easier wrong. 

 Democrats and the Democratic candidates have been unfairly put in a tough situation come November, by one of their own, who seek positions of leadership. Still the question must be asked, “Jake Ford, who are you?”

Tom Guleff

West Point ‘86

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