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Ford serious about leadership bid
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford said this morning that he planned to challenge fellow Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Martin Frost for the post of House party leader. But Pelosi says she has the votes she needs to take the leadership. CNN's Judy Woodruff talked to Ford about his bid. WOODRUFF: We just talked to (Pelosi) a few minutes ago and she says it's sewn up. FORD: Well, this race is on Thursday. I just got in the race this morning. I've been talking to colleagues all across the country. The diversity of our caucus never ceases to amaze me in terms of ideology. And I've spoken with Blue Dogs and members of the Congressional Black Caucus, members of the new Democratic organization, and we're signing up supporters. One thing I will say, as I said to my colleagues, is that November 5 was not only a wakeup call, but was a shakeup call to us here in Washington, particularly on the Democratic side in the House, that if we're serious about winning back the hearts and support of Americans I think we have to think about doing things differently. Dick said it best when he decided not to run. He said: 'My caucus needs a change. And I don't believe Nancy represents any sort of change.' Her and Dick are extremely close. Dick, I understand, is supporting her. And I say to my colleagues who are genuinely interested in seeing a different approach. And Nancy's and our styles are very different, as well as our approach to many of the key significant issues. WOODRUFF: What is so different about your style? FORD: Well ... I don't believe that you have to be so dogmatic and so one-dimensional in your thinking and your approach to things. Nancy's made very clear and her record demonstrates her liberal roots. She's from San Francisco. She's a great person who I respect deeply here. But Congress and serving people is about more than having beloved friends in the House, it's about finding a way to build coalitions to help serve people. One of my fears about her leadership is that she will provide a kind of obstructionist opposition to George Bush and the Republicans, a kind of destructive opposition, when I think the American people, as we saw evidenced on November 5, are looking for more constructive opponents, those who can help shape issues, shape results, and at the same time put themselves in a position to win the hearts and support of Americans. I don't believe she'll be able to do that. That's why I'm running for this position. WOODRUFF: But the Democrats, if anything, going into this election did make accommodation with the president, they made accommodation on Iraq, they made accommodation on taxes and other issues. FORD: This is not about accommodation. WOODRUFF: And that didn't -- did that get them anywhere? FORD: What I think people trust Democrats to do well, and they like what we do, they like the way we yell and shout and scream, and how we curb excesses, and that's important. But what we don't do a good job at is in convincing the American people that we can lead this Congress, that you can trust us with the helm, that you can trust us with the steering wheel. And I don't believe the leadership, as much as I respect and like Nancy, that she will bring the kind of leadership that can comfort most Americans and draw them back to our party. One thing I heard from constituents and people back home is that they've grown terribly uneasy with the way campaigns are run. Most of the issues we discuss on both sides are entirely irrelevant to what most people deal with day in and day out. Unfortunately, the issues were on our side this time, but we had not real coherent response. And Nancy's been a part of that effort over the last few years. And I'd just say to my colleagues in the Congress who are thinking about this: If you want real change, I contend that my candidacy would offer that new era and new generation of leadership and vision and energy sorely needed in our party right now. WOODRUFF: So you're in the race... FORD: Absolutely. WOODRUFF: ... until next Thursday... FORD: Absolutely. WOODRUFF: ... when the votes are counted. All right. FORD: Well, I think we're both in the race up to that point. WOODRUFF: OK. But you're serious about this. FORD: No, no, I'm very serious, because I think Democrats and the American people are interested in something different in this nation's capital than Democrats in the House have been giving them over the last eight years. WOODRUFF: Congressman Harold Ford, we thank you so much for talking to us.
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