Harold Ford Weighs Challenge To New York Dem Sen, Kirsten Gillibrand

NY Times:

Encouraged by a group of influential New York Democrats, Harold Ford Jr., the former congressman from Tennessee, is weighing a bid to unseat Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand in this fall's Democratic primary, according to three people who have spoken with him.

Mr. Ford, 39, who moved to New York three years ago, has told friends that he will decide whether to run in the next 45 days. The discussions between Mr. Ford and top Democratic donors reflect the dissatisfaction of some prominent party members with Ms. Gillibrand, who has yet to win over key constituencies, especially in New York City.

Read the whole story: NY Times

Comments

[OverIt]

01:16 PM on 01/07/2010

Two things about Ford that underwhelm me:

1. From his lips in an ad shot in the pews of a church to appeal to TN RW voters: "I voted for the PATRIOT Act, $5 trillion in defense, and against amnesty for illegals."


2. He failed and has not made good on his promise to retake the TN bar since his graduation from law school in '96. FYI - the TN bar has a usual 1st time pass rate of around 85-90%.

[ECB]

01:18 PM on 01/07/2010

Sounds like Sarah Palin.

[OverIt]

01:21 PM on 01/07/2010

It's bad. But not THAT bad. You flatter Sarah too much.

[OneLiberalLady]

01:35 PM on 01/07/2010

That's a very high pass rate (speaking as one who passed two bars, neither of which were that easy).
Why does NY need an out of state Wall Streeter to sub for Gillibrand, who can appeal to Upstate Dems and is somewhat more progressive (now) for the downstaters?

[ECB]

01:10 PM on 01/07/2010

Harold, the Dems., need and want a Ford TRUCK not a Ford PINTO !

[ECB]

12:49 PM on 01/07/2010

Harold, did you get married before or after you moved to New York ?

I bet it was after, TN don't plat that !

[ECB]

12:50 PM on 01/07/2010

"play"

[avshanbh]

12:27 PM on 01/07/2010

Go challenge a Republican Harold.

[myjoyy]

11:47 AM on 01/07/2010

...that which we would call a "ruse".

[OneLiberalLady]

10:34 AM on 01/07/2010

Gilibrand has moved to the left after she was appointed Senator. Some centrist Manhattanites have been unhappy with this and are looking to Ford to challenge Gillibrand. One of Ford's leading supporters is a wealthy socialite couple who are outspoken "pro-lifers."
Q. What do you call a pro-life Democrat?
A. A Republican.

Schumer is strongly supporting Gillibrand, by the way.

[NSeagle78]

08:11 AM on 01/07/2010

I think Harold can smell what the American people are cooking, Morning Joe exposed you for what you are. Go play a round of golf with Tiger. I witness the race in Tennessee and hated what they did to you. However I have come to learn that it was true. Like I said go play golf with Tiger, maybe you all will become black together. We may even give you some left overs.

[Queen Cassandra]

04:33 AM on 01/07/2010

Mr Ford is very intresting........, I am intrigue.

[nice2blucky]

03:26 AM on 01/07/2010

I used to like Ford. He is bright and well spoken. However, he is a lightweight for liberal and progressive causes.

If he is the deciding vote, he will never be there for liberals/ progressives, and likely Democrats, as well.

If he was the worst one, he'd be ok. But unfortunately that will not be the case, which sounds good, but it is not.

[adamNsteve]

01:42 AM on 01/07/2010

Harold Ford is a Republican.

Why doesn't he just "come out" of the Republican closet once and for all?

[OneLiberalLady]

10:35 AM on 01/07/2010

Exactly.

[myjoyy]

11:36 AM on 01/07/2010

"Harold Ford is a Republican.

Why doesn't he just "come out" of the Republican closet once and for all?"

He came out during the past presidential election using every subtle opportunity to point out what Senator Obama should or should not be doing. And with all those subtle and constant digs, Ford was able to be a frequent guest on cable TV. I got so tired of his "point on" pompous punditry, his constant smug-faced demeanor, and his “It shoulda been me” hating attitude. Mocha Joe or Race for the WH Gregory couldn’t have asked for a better ally. You could always count on Ford to point out something Obama needed to do or get right if he had any hope of winning the presidency. Ford was like that pesky fly at a backyard barbeque – swarming around just enough to get the guests attention and the host’s aggravation. But thankfully, Ford’s antics were to no avail. And then we see what this President does to pesky flies. SWAT! SPLAT!!!!!!!!

[MartyJo]

11:43 PM on 01/06/2010

Has Harold Ford used chapstick after he come up for air from Joe Sc.arbor.ough's lap? Sorry, but Harold never takes a stance on anything..... he's a meek little follower..... easily led and no direction!

[adamNsteve]

01:42 AM on 01/07/2010

this comment is Sooo bad it is good....

[colette]

01:54 AM on 01/07/2010

with you marty jo. turns wishy-washy into an artform. can't somebody more liberal give him a run for the money in the primary?

[MartyJo]

02:53 AM on 01/07/2010

Harold Ford is anything but liberal...... not once, ever, on Morning JowBlow did he ever defend Obama's policies...... he's a Liberal wannabe....

[Ohsherri]

11:27 PM on 01/06/2010

Wow...he wants to go after a Democrat.
A woman who's at least got a lot of fight in her and sweatin it out like nobody's business.
Gee...how courageous of him.

[H321]

12:18 AM on 01/07/2010

Very true. Its sad when even Chris Matthews can neuter the guy on live TV.

[DessLoch]

11:27 PM on 01/06/2010

First OJ, then Tiger, now Harold? They darkened him in the photo. What's with the media trying to propulgate a dark menace stereotype?


Just like Tiger.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/04/tiger-woods-shirtless-emv_n_410364.html
Quit the reverse Ambi retouching.

[H321]

12:19 AM on 01/07/2010

LOL

[JackNasty]

11:12 PM on 01/06/2010

Harold Ford is a charter member of the "Civil Rights for Me but NOT for Thee" crowd. He will do very well among anti-gay voters and with any fans of Wall Street's excesses.

[DessLoch]

11:21 PM on 01/06/2010

He was trying to get elected in Tennessee an impossible task without throwing liberal values under the bus. And he lost because his opponent blatenty preyed on white fear of a black senator. Should be interesting to see how he runs in NYC.

[JackNasty]

02:17 AM on 01/07/2010

Watching a homophobic corporate courtesan run as a Democrat is more dis gusting than interesting

[OneLiberalLady]

10:36 AM on 01/07/2010

Doesn't say much for him that he was willing to throw his values under the bus.

[adamNsteve]

01:43 AM on 01/07/2010

Agreed

[needlefingers]

09:50 PM on 01/06/2010

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