Harold Ford Jr. Weighs a Challenge to Gillibrand

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: New York 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.

<snip>

Mr. Ford, chairman of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, would begin the race at a significant financial disadvantage: Ms. Gillibrand had raised $4 million as of Oct. 1, and is expected to raise tens of millions more.

But he has a formidable track record as a fund-raiser. During his Senate run, he amassed about $15 million, with about a fifth of his contributions coming from New York. Mr. Ford, who is black, may also be able to tap into African-American donors nationwide; the Senate is poised to lose its sole black member, Roland W. Burris of Illinois, at the end of the year.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/nyregion/06ford.html

---

:popcorn:

[ingac70]

1. All I have to say about Harold Ford is...

He looks DAMN HOT!

Otherwise, I have no use for him. He comes from a very crooked family.

[proud2BlibKansan]

37. He's also DLC to the bone

I don't think I could vote for him.

[NashVegas]

38. Very Hot. But Good Freaking Luck Upstate

[democrank]

2. I can`t stop laughing.

Mr. Ford, Chairman of the CENTRIST Democratic Leadership Council....

[madrchsod]

4. center? right of center would be a better term

[blm]

21. That's why I am certain this story is for SHOW, so Gillibrand appeals to left as the alternative to

the more centrist Ford.

DLCers are playing the left....as usual.

[Blasphemer]

23. I think you hit the nail on the head... nt

[xxqqqzme]

45. Chairman of the rethuglican wing of the Democratic Party

[madrchsod]

3. ford moved to new york cause no one could stand him in tennessee?

remember new york-he`ll sell you out as soon as he declares he`s going to run.

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. 'Influential New York Democrats'- Now who could that be?

Well, I have my own ideas on this but you can fill in the blanks into this yourself.
But it smells like............

Harold Ford is a worthless DLC democratic media mouthpiece and a
wishy washy politician. Plus he has his head up the corporate butt-hole.

New York needs real progressives not corporate whores

[No Elephants]

12. Maybe the same NY Democrats who campaigned for Lieberman?

And, let's not forget Wall Street.


"In New York, Mr. Ford took a job as vice chairman of Merrill Lynch, where he cultivated close ties to many of the Wall Street executives who are now encouraging him to run. A telegenic politician, he has also maintained a high profile through NBC and MSNBC, which feature him as a regular political commentator."

"About a dozen high-profile Democrats have expressed interest in backing a candidacy by Mr. Ford, including the financier Steven Rattner, who, along with his wife, Maureen White, has been among the country’s most prolific Democratic fund-raisers."

"Among those who have encouraged Mr. Ford to consider a run are Merryl H. Tisch, the chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, whose husband, James, is the chief executive of the Loews Corporation, and Richard Plepler, the co-president of HBO, according to people who have spoken with them."


Since the article takes a swipe at Schumer, maybe Schumer is not on board?

Gee, I remember reading about when the Democratic Party represented workers--and I don't mean Wall Street brokers--against their overlords. Was that book history or fiction? I can't recall.

[Ichingcarpenter]

14. Photo from the DLC Leadership Team Homepage

From left to right: Harold Ford, Jr. is chairman of the DLC. U.S. Sen. Tom Carper is vice chair of the DLC; U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton chaired the DLC's American Dream Initiative; Al From is founder and CEO of the DLC.

http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ka.cfm?kaid=137

[No Elephants]

6. The DLC is CENTRIST? Who is trying to kid whom? And when did they take over the NYT?

[Pab Sungenis]

7. How the hell far to the right do you have to be

when freaking GILLIBRAND is too liberal for you?

Sheesh!

[No Elephants]

16. I guess you have to be Tennessee DLC.

I hope to heaven they see through him. Tried talking to my sister the other day. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Barnard, an avid reader, including of several newspapers, and a lifelong Democrat. She never even heard of the DLC.

If that isn't scary, I don't know what is.

[blm]

28. That's EXACTLY why this is a SHOW story, Pab. To make Gillibrand more palatable to left.

Ford knows by now the left base is at the end of its rope with DLCers. But, the DLC never tires of manipulating the left for a certain reaction.

[davidpdx]

8. I have seen Ford on TV

And don't care for him all that much. He kind of has that con artist look about him.

[JCMach1]

9. Yay! non New Yorker to the right of Gillibrand

NOT!

[mstinamotorcity]

10. Harold Ford

is playing walk the line politics.He says he is a Democratic member but his mouth sometimes speak troll.The republicans put an ass whipping on him so tuff, he couldn't take it.they black balled him.He knows it.So he started coming out the woodwork last year to try and revamp his political future.Sorry Harold but we see you coming a mile away.As for Gilibrand she has not had enough of a chance to make her voice effective.Has she been in office a year?And you have a Harold Ford who wants to find an easy knock off.

[Tippy]

11. I wondered what was up when he moved to New York......

Now I understand completely..He knew he would never move up the ladder in TN because of his race. I worked for his campaign but told him up front it would be an uphill battle for him in our area.

[customerserviceguy]

17. Here in NY, they don't seem to mind when someone moves from the South

and tries to run for Senator.

[katkat]

22. Tippy

Why would you work for someone who's anti-gay?

[Tippy]

42. You have to realize most people in the south are anti gay.....

Here in TN they are anti-gay...anti-black...and I am talking about Democrats. Most hate what they do not understand, I should say refuse to understand.

[Capt. America]

13. The Dems do not need another Harold Ford --DINO.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

15. His DLC ass doesn't stand a snowballs chance

[Myrina]

18. Mr. Ford, I believe that makes you a carpetbagger.

n/t

[totodeinhere]

20. NY likes carpetbaggers. Hillary Clinton and Robert Kennedy come to mind.

The carpetbagging thing is a non issue. The fact that he is to the right of Attila the Hun is an issue.

[natrat]

19. fuck you harold ford you scumbag piece of shit

[katkat]

24. natrat

Goes for the whole DLC. imho.

[nyc 4 Biden]

26. don't hold back now.

lol

[closeupready]

33. +1

n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

25. Ford Jr is a double dealing bigot

One of just 34 House Democrats who voted for a Constitutional amendment against marriage equality. Here he is in his own words, which should really do well for him in NY: "“I oppose gay marriage. This November, there’s a referendum on the Tennessee ballot to ban same-sex marriage — I am voting for it.”

So he's just another bigot from the DLC. I have a hard time seeing NY electing him.

[NorthCarolina]

27. Just what we DON'T need, another DLC'er in power. Stay home Harold. (nt)

[kayla9170]

29. New Yorkers.......PLEASE DON'T TRUST THIS MAN........

He is a straight up DINO and a faux Zebra who love to somewhat appear African-American but would vote against your best interest in a HEARTBEAT, if it would help his Wall Street friends. Stick with your current Senator.

[deminks]

30. DLC'er and Chamber lackey. He sold his soul long ago.

I don't doubt he's got lottsa bizniz behind him.

[Unvanguard]

31. He'll probably get slaughtered in the primary. Not too worried. n/t

[closeupready]

32. No way. You don't stand a snowball's chance in hell. Gillibrand rocks.

I will do everything I can to see her win.

[katkat]

34. (DLC head, anti-gay rights) Harold Ford Jr. Weighs a Challenge to Gillibrand

Source: New York 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, chairman of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, ...

In New York, Mr. Ford took a job as vice chairman of Merrill Lynch...Mr. Ford, who lives in Manhattan, represented a conservative Southern state and, if he runs, may himself have to adjust some of his positions, like his opposition to gay marriage, to appeal to New York voters.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/nyregion/06ford.html

---

Gak. Okay, Gillibrand is now on the list of people I'll send money to.

OOPS - dup of thread at http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4212191&mesg_id=4212191

[maddezmom]

35. duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4212191

[kenfrequed]

36. Yuck

Pass, how about we put a real democrat up instead. I really am very tired of these DLC sorts thinking they can just waltz in, and then losing elections for us or opposing the democratic platform whenever they can.

[David Zephyr]

39. Ambitious, Corporate Puppet & War-Loving. He'll fit right into our Parliament of Whores.

Why shouldn't he run? He fits the profile perfectly of the majority of those in the Senate.

[fascisthunter]

40. Harold is one more con man for the limp-wristed rich

[saracat]

41. Fits right in with Rahm, bigot to the bone and misogynistic to boot.!

Might as well vote R. Can't have an uppity woman in that seat. She might get ideas, like eventually running for Prez!:sarcasm: I am not really up to date on Gillibrand but Ford is a disgusting human being.Few could be worse. He is a GOPER in Dem clothing!

[hayu_lol]

43. Ford is a BLUE DOG. Has been a blue dog for years...

and stood up and approved of almost all of Bush's bills. He was, the last I heard, anti-choice(unless he has flipped like little Dennis for political reasons).

He was a thorn in the side of the party when in Tennessee. Should not be considered for an elected position of power again. A loser.

[saracat]

44. Yuppers, he is.He is disgusting.