Posted on 01/08/2010 7:34:56 PM PST by neverdem
Under assault from allies of Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, former Congressman Harold E. Ford Jr. fired back on Friday afternoon, saying he would be not be “bullied or intimidated” by “party bosses” as he considers challenging her in this fall’s Democratic primary.
Mr. Ford’s interest in the race is triggering a growing sense of alarm within the Gillibrand camp, which has quickly sought to portray him as out of step with New York Democratic voters and, through supporters like Senator Charles E. Schumer, tried to dissuade him from entering the race.
A spokesman for Mr. Ford issued a pungent statement defending his interest in the Senate race and rebutting criticisms of his record.
“It’s good to have credible candidates explore this race. So what are they afraid of?” began the statement, from Mr. Ford’s spokesman, Davidson Goldin.
In a swipe at those who have asked Mr. Ford to stay out of the primary contest, Mr. Goldin said that New York needed a senator with the “independence to stand up and do what is right for our state, regardless of what the party bosses in Albany and Washington want.”
The sharp statement is the strongest indication yet that Mr. Ford is serious in his consideration of what would be a marquee challenge to the state’s junior senator, who Democratic leaders had hoped...
--snip--
At the urging of Ms. Gillibrand’s aides, a number of traditional Democratic constituencies — abortion rights advocates, gay rights groups and labor unions — have described Mr. Ford as too conservative for the state. They point to his support for restrictions on abortion and opposition to same-sex marriage.
Representative Jerrold Nadler, who has endorsed Ms. Gillibrand, called Mr. Ford’s record “a disaster.”
An adviser to Ms. Gillibrand, Jefrey Pollock, said her supporters “aren’t bullying, they’re informing New Yorkers.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Harold is just smooth enough to Obama his way right in there.
No honor amongst thieves. No honor amongst Democrats. Sorry for being redundant.
Very true. But a ratfight nonetheless.
Tee Hee, the Democrat Machine is on autopilot in NY.
Doesn’t matter who is on the ballot they are voting “D”, Ford knows this and so does Gillibrand.
A southern (Tennessee) democrat might as well be a republican to the socialists of New York.
What a joke this State's government is. We got a Senate run by a corrupt Dem who temporarily defected to the Pubbie side for his own power tripping, throwing that legislative body into chaos, then defected right back to Dem after cutting back deals which would install himself as Majority Leader. We got an Assembly leader moonlighting for a law firm which sues the State on personal injury suits, and who blocks tort reform at every turn. And we got a Governor who is a lame duck from the very beginning but is now finally starting to make some significant proclamations in the right direction ... all of which are yawned at and mocked by his fellow Dems ....
God help New York State, PLEASE !!!
If Ford wins, it will be the fourth time a majority of New Yorkers are dumb enough to elect someone who isn’t even a real New Yorker to be “their” senator.
My father was a Main Street merchant in Memphis, 1940s and 50s.
Even as a kid, I remember him complaining about the entire Ford family.
They were nasty, arrogant, check kilters, and acted like they owned the city.
It is great that Jr. moved to New York...Good riddance.
Rep. Pete King rethinking Senate run (may run now)
FReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list.
I really hope Pete King rus
I really hope Pete King runs
Ford seemed to have Bloomberg’s blessing. So, how about this, Mr. Ford: why don’t you just run as an independent. Look at Mr. Bloomberg. If he could do and won, so can you!
Harold Ford, Sr, his father was a total turd. I am in his district and had to suffer the fool for years. Most of Jr’s family are total jokes also, but Jr actually wasn’t too bad for a democrat.
He tried to be Speaker, but was cut out by Pelosi and he voted against partial birth and gay rights. Not a fan of his, but if it had to be a democrat, he would be better than Gillibrand.
Thanks for the ping!
He's lived here for 3 years which makes him a native compared to Hillary. At least this will make the race interesting. Gillibrand is proving to be a know-nothing.
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