(Harold) Ford leaving Wall St. job to focus on Senate bid

[brooklynite]

Source: Crain's New York Business

(AP) - Harold Ford Jr. has taken a leave of absence from his Wall Street job so he can have more free time to travel around New York state and decide whether to run for U.S. Senate.

A spokesman said that Mr. Ford took a 30-day leave from his job as vice chairman of Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Davidson Goldin said Tuesday Ford wants to focus on "listening to New Yorkers and discussing his goals as an independent Democrat" while he decides whether to challenge Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the Democratic primary.

The former Tennessee congressman has been meeting with elected officials and other political operatives recently. He plans to travel to Long Island this week and upstate next week.

Read more: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100119/FREE/100119869

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While I support Gillibrand, I'm not inherently opposed to a primary race. It'll give her an opportunity to get her name out to the electorate earlier, and make it clear what issues and positions Democrats in NY care about.

[onehandle]

1. lotsaluck.

not really.

[groundloop]

15. He's in touch with everyday New Yorkers - he's seen them from a helicopter

[MISSDem]

2. I don't live in New York so the point is really moot, but I don't

think that I could ever vote for him. I am a Democrat but Harold Ford is lying. He is saying that he has always been pro choice and for gay marriage and that is not what he is on record saying back in 2006 when he was running for the senate in Tennessee. I cannot trust him now.

[No Elephants]

25. They've both changed their posiitons, but I don't know if both have lied about changing.

I know Harold has.

Colbert pwned him on this issue.

[TomClash]

3. I'm really excited about these primary choices!

:sarcasm:

[oxymoronic]

4. Harold should not quit his day job

[UTUSN]

20. Perfect post!1 n/t

[bullwinkle428]

5. Wall Street? I'm sure financial reform is at THE TOP OF HIS LIST!!

[MiniMe]

6. A 30 day leave of absence doesn't mean he is leaving his Wall St job

[Chef Eric]

7. Like any Wall Street executive, Harold Ford has the interests of ordinary people at heart.

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[mascarax]

8. Why is he doing this?

Why would he think he can beat Gillibrand in a primary?
Is he just delusional (like how he forgot his former positions)?
Has he even lived in NY very long?
I don't get it.

Meanwhile, Gillibrand seems to have surpassed expectations!

[stlsaxman]

11. oh didn't you hear- he's "Thrax" Coulters favorite Dem!

[proudohioan]

9. Just what this country needs......

a politician associated with Wall Street.

:sarcasm:

[jaysunb]

10. Groan.....

just what the party needs right now, huh, Harold. Asshole. :evilfrown:

[thereismore]

12. Now there's a people's candidate!

:sarcasm:

[lib2DaBone]

13. Ford IS Ann Coulters favorite Dem.... Little Joe Lieberman #2....

Just what we dont need...

[Bluenorthwest]

14. He's a lying, cheating, slandering bigot

and now I find he's also a bank vampire. Time to dump BofA for sure now.

[sulphurdunn]

16. Getting off Wall Street is smart

politics, just like it was for Cheney. I wounder if Harold Jr. will keep his stock options, other investments and privilege perks for fucking over America like Cheney kept his?

[Doremus]

17. Harold Ford can kiss my hiney. When I read his essay about the issues prior to the last election

I thought I was reading Kkkarl Rove. Seriously.

Thanks but no thanks.
No more faux Dems. :puke:

[RZM]

18. Face the facts, Harold . . .

You're not going to be a US Senator. I predict this 'tour' (read: hardcore polling and awkward meetings with insiders) will not yield the results he desires.

[salin]

19. tin ear.

Foolishness on Ford's part. He might have had a chance in Tennessee. When that didn't work out - he cashed in and moved to Wall Street. I am not one to judge professional decisions per the move. But to think his very right of center record would sell in NY... well good luck with that. To quit what made the $$ and prompted the move in order to pursue the political job and not recognize it is an extreme long-shot? Tin ear. Can't hear a thing beyond his ambitions.

[eilen]

21. Gee, hometown girl vs. the bankster. nt.

[BlueIdaho]

22. Cuz nothing says populist like a Wall Street fat cat on vacation from his job.

Seriously?

[davidpdx]

23. If he runs, I might even throw a few buck at Gillibrand

Even better donate in memory of Ford. RIP you Republican asshole.

[fujiyama]

24. The primary will be entertaining

and it'll be great to see that idiot lose.

I'm just pissed that he's diverting contributions. A waste of money and in what looks to be a very rough season...well, let's just say he's a selfish, egotistical ass hole.

[No Elephants]

26. Apparently, DLC head Ford is attracting big bucks.