Stonewall
Democrats concerned over new DLC chair

A national LGBT group is showing concern over a move that would instate former congressman Harold Ford Jr. as chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council. The current chairman, former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack, announced he was stepping down and would be replaced by Ford.

National Stonewall Democrats executive director Joanne Wyrick said Ford lacks leadership and judgment on issues needed to push the DLC forward.

"His willingness to lightly amend the U.S. Constitution and to exploit gay families for political gain should alarm Democrats across the country," she said in a press release. "The Democratic Leadership Council is in need of leadership that supports and affirms all American families."

According to the NSD release, Ford has backed the proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships.

On Ford's 2006 campaign Web site, the Senate hopeful stated that he would "continue to be pro-family, including supporting a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman, without taking away the civil rights of gays and lesbians."

Writing for the DLC's magazine, Blueprint, the former congressman stated that the Democrats' win in Congress was because the election was won on ideas and not ideology. In the article, he calls same-sex marriage a "traditional wedge" issue like abortion and gun control that has "plagued our party in recent elections."

Ford was a representative in Tennessee, where he was elected to four consecutive terms. He sought Tennessee's U.S. Senate seat but lost to Bob Corker in a close race. (The Advocate)