It is interesting (and telling) that the author doesn't mention any of the above. Watching Colin Powell at the UN recently it occurred to me that he has been given more global responsibility then any other African-American in my memory, and it was real crunch-time make-it-or-break-it responsibility too. I don't recall that being mentioned on any of the news shows I watched, maybe because his competence is taken for granted or maybe he's just not liberal enough.
Wellington webb is mentioned in the article. Although I have not lived in Colorado for some time, didn't he have some skeletons in his closet, too? I remember him giving the new airport concessions to his cronies. Harold Ford may be the strongest of them all, yeah he is young and a Democrat, but he comes across extremely well and that's half the battle.
But, the DemocRAT Plantation overseers slapped him down really quick when he went for House Minority Leader, I guess he wasn't Black Liberal enough.
Ford has a problem in TN since it would be very hard to move up to Senator, Ford's best shot is to go for broke and run for Governor. If he were to win he would be in good shape for 2008 without the help of the DNC.