Colbert takes on the hypocrisy of Harold Ford Jr.

As a New Yorker, I have to give kudos to Stephen Colbert for calling Harold Ford Jr. out on his faux pro-choice and pro-gay marriage bullshit.

The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Alpha Dog of the Week – Harold Ford Jr.
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It sure as hell is better reporting than the Daily News’ apparent critical coverage of Kirsten Gillibrand’s weight loss. Really, Daily News? Really?

Approximate transcript after the jump.


It’s time for my Alpha Dog of the Week. This week, it’s former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford Jr., who after losing the 2006 Senate race established residency in New York — I believe he presented his cable bill — in order to challenge Kirsten Gillibrand in the Democratic primary. Now, some say that proves Ford is just a carpet-bagger, I say it proves he’s got some massive carpet bags — because most politicians ingratiate themselves with the locals. Not this Alpha Dog. When asked by the NY Times if he had ever been to Staten Island, Ford replied, “I landed there on the helicopter, so I said yes.” You see, Ford clearly wants to represent all the people of New York – who to him, all look like tiny, tiny ants.
And I gotta credit Ford for having the musky sack to change not only to change his address, but also his political views. Here he is talking to the Alan Colmes creature 4 years ago.
Colmes: You were pro-choice at one time, what happened?
Ford: I was not pro-choice at one time.
But last week he said, “I am personally pro-choice and legislatively pro-choice.” Yes, he believes every American has the right to choose when it is politically expedient to be pro-life. And here’s Ford on gay marriage in 2006: “Well, I’ve never flip-flopped on gay marriage, Mr. Blitzer, I’ve always been opposed to it.” But this is what he told Matt Lauer last Monday:
Lauer: So you are now in favor of same sex marriage?
Ford: Civil unions and same sex marriage, yes.
Of course if Blitzer asked you about gay marriage, you say no. But Matt Lauer? I mean you gotta at least think about it. But a lot of politicians flip flop on the issues, what really puts Harold Ford ahead of the butt-sniffing chain, is that he’s not pulling this reverse in cluster-munch Iowa — no one’s gonna question if he flip flops on who’s gonna become corn queen. He’s doing this in New York City, media capital of the world, where they keep all those little bits of tape recordings of what you said and did. Hell, there’s a whole newspaper page dedicated to everything famous people do. Getting a little huffy at the matre’di at Perse tonight and by this time tomorrow they’re picking bits of you out of Cindy Adams’ stool. By the way, it would be an honor, madam. An honor. So bravo, Harold Ford, for knowing who you are, and who you might be in 15 minutes. Just listen to the man himself:
Ford: I voted for the Patriot Act, 5 million in defense, and against amnesty for illegals. I approve this message because I won’t let them make me someone I’m not.
That’s Harold Ford’s job. So for lifting your leg on New Yorkers and telling us it’s just egg cream, you sir, are my Alpha Dog of the Week.

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