Posted on 02/16/2005 9:57:44 AM PST by dead
Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) is expected to announce next week that he will run for the Senate, seeking to replace Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) when he retires in 2006.
Ford’s office declined to comment on his senatorial plans, but three sources close to Ford said that he has decided to run and that an announcement will be made soon. One informed source said, “He will absolutely, 100 percent, run for the Senate. He wants that seat.”
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Ford will be traveling in the Middle East later this week, according to those sources, and is scheduled to be back in Tennessee, with some major appearances planned, on Feb. 25.
President Bush won Tennessee 57 to 43 percent, and Ford would face an uphill battle to win statewide. The fifth-term congressman, whose father held the same seat for 22 years, has recently seen his statewide prospects hindered by his family name. His uncle, state Sen. John Ford, is embroiled in a child payment scandal and recently testified in juvenile court that he keeps two homes and lives with two different women whose children he fathered. The scandal has received considerable attention in Tennessee and has dominated political conversation among Democrats speculating about Ford’s plans.
The source said business leaders in Memphis are lining up behind Ford and noted that the congressman is conservative on fiscal matters. Ford last year indicated support for Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-S.C.) Social Security reform bill.
While the odds are against Ford’s winning the seat, the source said Ford will raise a lot of money: “He will raise money from California to New York to Florida and everywhere in between.”
State Sen. Rosalind Kurita is the only other Democrat who has entered the race. Three Republicans have launched their campaigns, including former Rep. Ed Bryant, state Rep. Beth Harwell and Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker. Former Rep. Van Hilleary (R) is also considering jumping into the race.
Ditto.
JUNIOR's area is BLUE, not red. He was his corrupt daddy's heir...for life. The 'White devils' in JUNIOR's district have a snowballs chance in hades to oust him.
OBAMA WILL BE HILLARY RUNNING MATE I SAID THAT IN 11/2004.
Its Richardson, they need Hispanics in the southwest. take all the Kerry EVs, then look at NM, NV, AZ and CO - 3 out of 4 of those gets Hillary the win.
JUNIOR has even Fox news fooled, then of course they probably haven't checked Eagle Forum or Conservative Union on JUNIOR's LIBERAL voting record.
He's be what, 38? He's not running for President anytime soon (VP maybe?)
I also remember watching Richardson on a Sunday show. I think someone - probably a "consultant" had told him to use his hands more when he spoke.
So he was doing his deal and kept doing this one single gesture which looked like sort of a horizontal karate chop to the air. It was hysterical and sort of mezmerizing. It was captivating precisely because it did not serve any purpose other than punching the air for no reason. He was not underscoring any particular point. He certainly did not look expressive and relaxed. He looked like he was doing mini-aerobics.
That coupled with his jowls and his shady ethical past makes me think that Richardson will do just fine for us as the VP nominee for the socialist party.
Perhaps before then though he will have gotten some better communication coaching.
I think Harold Ford has a good chance at winning. For the most part, I find him one of the more likable dmeocrats.
americans in the "middle", who decide the election, don't care about those issues. if you think we are going to beat Hillary by rehashing the rose law firm records issue, you are mistaken.
Yea, my gay radar went up as soon as I saw his picture!
i don't think i was suggesting this as a campaign issue, excuse me. i was merely noting the similarity between these 3 aholes.
That means some will have to invent a Charisma transplant procedure in the next 2-3 years or he won't have a chance. :-)
George Allen will be the nominee in 2008. Frist would make a good VP.
Nope. Obama Barak is the chosen one now. Ford is second fiddle.
obvious payback for Daschle
NOT TRUE WHO HAS WHITEHOUSE HAS LAST CONVENTION. SO REPUBLICAN WILL BE LAST TO HAVE CONVENTION.
oh, I am not saying these are ethical people - far from it. but the Dems need a Hispanic on their ticket, and he is the most visible one. he is a boring guy, but the only place he will be appearing on the campaign in on univision and telemundo - he may not even campaign outside of those western states.
"That means some will have to invent a Charisma transplant procedure"
good line.
He could very well be a Cheney-esque VP though. Which means we will have to suffer through the "gravitas" discussions again, but, so be it.
What--no albore running?
the guys no Mo. he gets good looking girls from law schools in DC and elsewhere. it would be a mistake to underestimate him.
I doubt that Harold sees it that way. I agree with you that Obama is a chosen favorite, but Harold has had his eye on the WH every since I've heard him speak. They're both extremely intelligent, smooth-talking lefties that can sound middle-of-the-road when necessary. They should both be carefully watched.
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