White House Opposes Challenge to Gillibrand

[Jennicut]

By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ and JEREMY W. PETERS
Published: January 11, 2010

WASHINGTON — The White House made it clear on Monday that it opposed the prospect of Harold E. Ford Jr.’s running for the United States Senate in New York, even as Mr. Ford, the former Tennessee congressman, showed no signs of being deterred.

The remarks from the White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs, were the first offered by the Obama administration since Mr. Ford said last week that he was seriously considering challenging Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand in this fall’s Democratic primary.

Mr. Gibbs said that the administration backed Ms. Gillibrand, who was appointed last January to fill the seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

“I think the White House is quite happy with the leadership and the representation of Senator Gillibrand in New York,” Mr. Gibbs said when asked about Mr. Ford at a White House press briefing. “We’re supporting her re-election."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/nyregion/12ford.html?ref=politics

Although I don't think the WH should always interfere with Congressional races I just cannot stand Ford. Please someone make him go away. Gillibrand seems to be doing fine. Why would Ford want to mess around with this?

[Captain Hilts]

1. The White House should stop using such a heavy hand in state races. nt

[BeyondGeography]

4. The head of the party should like, chill, and see how it all turns out?

:dunce:

[Captain Hilts]

6. Look at PA, where they are favoring a loser. To keep Dems involved, they need competitive primaries

[BeyondGeography]

8. Specter was about locking in 60 votes and passing legislation, now they have to support him

And do you honestly think NY Dems need to be energized by a Harold Ford candidacy?

[Captain Hilts]

9. I agree with you on NY. Ford has no traction there. All the more reason

that the WH should just let it play out.

[MadBadger]

22. Looks to me like they are favoring the Democratic Incumbents

If Specter wasnt an incumbent Democrat, they wouldnt favor him.

[Captain Hilts]

23. Yes. Incumbents already have an advantage. Obama campaigned as being a 'grassroots' guy.

Weighing in on behalf of incumbents just doesn't fit with the image his campaign projected. And in the case of Spector, it's probably not a good idea.

[quiller4]

34. Competitive primaries do NOT keep Democrats involved.

There is always a very substantital drop off in Democratic vote in the general following a heated primary. Competitive primaries are only good for pundits.

[Mojorabbit]

43. I say let the citizens of the state decide

I saw how progressive Dems were shut out by the ptb here in Fl and support given to right wing leaning "Dems" instead.

[Jennicut]

5. I think they are right on this one. Gillibrand is doing well and they need to hold onto

as many in the Senate as they can. This is not a more progressive candidate seeking to better the seat for Dems and Dem voters. It is an opportunistic a-hole seeking to get power in any way he can.

[Captain Hilts]

7. I agree with you. But sleepy primaries are often not good for turnout, especially in NYS

when the primaries are so close to the election.

Look at what the WH is doing in the Penn. race - backing the old crank!

[phleshdef]

11. Learn to read. Gibbs was ASKED and thus he ANSWERED.

Its not like they called a press conference to take the initiative to speak on the matter.

[Captain Hilts]

20. They've been pretty heavy-handed in a lot of primary contests. So much for the grassroots. nt

[hlthe2b]

2. Ford is the epitomy of the political opportunist....

I have ZERO respect for him.

[shraby]

3. Ford would just be another Dino.

[ShortnFiery]

31. Maybe not. Now that he's being disrespected by the ruling elite, he just may SERVE the people? eom

[zipplewrath]

10. I don't support Ford

But I'm tired of Rahm dictating in the primaries who we can and cannot vote for. He did it huge as part of the DCCC and it looks with Spector and this race as if he is still at it. Democrats should be able to have primaries with choices.

[phleshdef]

12. And what did the article in the OP say about Rahm? Gibbs was responding to a question he was asked.

More knee jerk strawman Rahm bullshit.

[zipplewrath]

14. Tigers don't change their stripes

This is more of the Rahm style of politics.

[phleshdef]

15. The story has zilch to do with Rahm, nothing, nadda, not a damn thing.

[zipplewrath]

18. So this isn't his style?

Gibbs doesn't talk with him? Rahm doesn't influence White House policy on these issues and as such influence what Gibbs says?

[phleshdef]

19. Its no one's "style". Its a clear answer to a clear question and nothing uncommon in any admin.

And your incessant name dropping of Rahm and trying to make it out to be something it isn't is idiotic and a painfully obvious attempt to manufacture bullshit outrage over nothing.

[zipplewrath]

25. You're ignoring history

First of all, this kind of pre-primary endorsement is exactly his style.
Second, the most "common" comment out of an administration to this kind of question is to not "take sides". This, is combination with the Spector "deal" is CLEARLY Rahm style primary politics.

[quiller4]

35. Give me a break. The only Democratic Administration that didn't

take sides was Carter's and that was because he was in a battle himself and couldn't afford to take sides. The Clinton Administration actively recruited candidates in some races and clearly endorsed in others. Press didn't have to ask LBJ's Administration because they offered photo opps with the candidates they supported. JFK and RFK made many personal appearances in primary campaigns. Rahm follows precedent rather than setting it.What's the big deal?

[zipplewrath]

37. I think you over state things

Sitting presidents tend to sit out primaries. Yes, they recruit candidates, but Rahm took it to new levels as head of DCCC and actively tried to prevent other candidates from being able to raise money.

[DevonRex]

13. Oh good grief.

:eyes:

[MadBadger]

21. Vote for whoever the hell you want

The Administration isnt stopping you.

[zipplewrath]

26. Well, actually

Rahm made a small career out of ensuring that you "couldn't" vote for certain folks by trying to prevent them from ever getting into primaries to begin with. Basically he'd try to cut off any funding for you, and use DCCC money to support your opponent in a primary.

[Captain Hilts]

24. Neither will New Yorkers. This has nothing to do with Emanuel. nt

[Hippo_Tron]

36. Politics like life isn't fair, get over it

The establishment is usually going to have a candidate and they are usually going to have a funding advantage. Yet plenty of anti-establishment candidates still manage to win.

[shopgreen]

39. I agree, Choices are good for society.

[Cha]

16. What's harold ford's agenda? Who's paying him to screw with NY?

January 12, 2010
TUESDAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn't generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers.

* How engaged is the GOP's far-right base in the special election in Massachusetts? Senate hopeful Scott Brown (R) raised more than $1.3 million in a single day, all online.

* In the meantime, an internal poll shows Martha Coakley (D) leading Brown by 15 points. (That Dems even felt it necessary to leak the internal numbers suggests they're feeling the heat.)

* Former Tennessee Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D) noted today that he is "strongly considering running for the United States Senate" in New York. In preparation, the center-right Tennessean hopes to reinvent himself as a center-left New Yorker -- Ford voted in 2006 for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, but now claims to support gay marriage.

* The White House is making it clear that it's opposed to Ford's possible primary campaign against appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D).

<more>
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

17. But I thought Obama was in the tank for the DLC?

Since Ford is "Mr. DLC", what gives? /feigning ignorance

[Cha]

27. And, Kristin Gillibrand has

been evolving to a very Liberal Senator.

ford is positioning himself to be a slimy carpetbagger.

* Former Tennessee Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D) noted today that he is "strongly considering running for the United States Senate" in New York. In preparation, the center-right Tennessean hopes to reinvent himself as a center-left New Yorker -- Ford voted in 2006 for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, but now claims to support gay marriage.

* The White House is making it clear that it's opposed to Ford's possible primary campaign against appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D).

<more>
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

Can harold ford reinvent himself as "center left New Yorker" and then go back to a far right dino? The saga continues.

[ShortnFiery]

30. IMO, she's playing a role. She's no more liberal than Rahm. eom

[Captain Hilts]

32. I've been pleasantly surprised by her. nt

[burning rain]

28. My, Harold Ford against a candidate endorsed by the administration.

Well, I'd vote for Gillibrand, anway.

[ShortnFiery]

29. Tough!

:evilgrin: I'm not all that fond of Harold Ford but, IMO, he's mentally sharp and will "think for himself" ... I still hold out hope that he may come around to truly serve his constituents.

I'm hoping that Harold Ford is evolving beyond the DLC, I hold out NO HOPE for Gillibrand.

[Jennicut]

38. Ford will never evolve beyond his own ego.

[ShortnFiery]

41. That's a good thing - we can work with that ... he won't be any leaders "play dough."

I like "the dick" part of Ford that relates to his INDEPENDENCE of undue influence. :blush:

[ibegurpard]

33. Harold Ford is just a walking talking definition of the word "dick"

seriously...you just look at him and say "what a dick."

[ShortnFiery]

40. Yes, but he's ambitious and independent. Therefore he would not be used

for purposes other than getting RE-ELECTED.

I trust a sharp and independent thinker more than "a puppet" (Gillibrand) even if he is "a jerk." Ford would initially SERVE THE PEOPLE of NY State. :thumbsup:

[jenmito]

42. So do I. I'll be voting for Gillibrand. n/t

[Cha]

44. Check out what Kristin Gilliabrand said about ford jr..

"Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) doesn't sound especially intimidated by former Rep. Harold Ford's (D-Tenn.) interest in a primary challenge. "If Harold Ford wants to move from Tennessee and run in New York, he is welcome to do so," she said yesterday. "His record of being anti-choice, anti-marriage equality and now opposed to President Obama's health care legislation may be right for Tennessee" but not New York, she added."

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

I just caught a glimpse of harold on my local Albany news and I had it mute but I caught ..In Gillibrand's camp they were showing webclips of ford against women's choice and then it said ford was making a video showing him as a friend of Pres Obama's.

What a slimesleezeball.