The relevant comment starts at about 1:18.
My rough transcript:
You raised an issue earlier about patriotism, and I happen to think that is one area where the Republicans will go after Barack, and there's some evidence there. I'm not saying he believes that, but they will go...when I say there's evidence, there's a body of work out there that they can use...
WHAT THE....?
What "evidence" is there? Ooh, his middle name is Hussein? He doesn't wear a flag lapel (and notice, Harold isn't wearing one in that clip either)? Are we still beating the Jeremiah Wright dead horse?
Look, I know Harold Ford in all likelihood supports Hillary. But if you're going to run an ostensibly neutral organization like the DLC, then for God's sake at least pretend to be neutral! At the very least, show a little respect for someone who came all the way down to Nashville to campaign for you in November 2006 at a time when it was clear to pretty much everyone that you were going to lose. I had hoped that by moving to MSNBC from Faux News, Harold might stop giving credence to Republican talking points, but I guess not.
It's especially grating given Harold Ford's response to the "Hussein" TNGOP debacle a month ago:
Obama is a patriot, loves his country and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with McCain and others who seek to protect the country against terrorist attacks. Obama believes a new strategy is needed to maximize our fight against radical Islamic fundamentalists, like finishing the job against al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan and rooting out terrorists who are hiding out in Pakistan.
So which is it? Is Obama a patriot, or is there evidence that he's not? Did a different Harold Ford Jr. write that column?
And really, what does Harold know about the best way to beat back right-wing talking points and win elections? Obama has gone up against a tough, well-funded opponent who threw everything she could at him, and he prevailed. The first time Harold really went up against a real opponent was in 2006...AND HE LOST!
I'm sorry, I know that's harsh, but it's true. He inherited his seat in Congress and lost the first time he went up against serious opposition. And he has no business telling Democrats how to win elections.
