Although the establishment is lining up behind the clearly inept appointed junior Senator from New York (Paterson's comments and Obama's comments), it appears that former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford Jr. is gearing up to run for US Senate in New York. Here are his words from today's New York Post...
I know New York is unique. No other state is so engaged in the great issues facing our nation.
Defeating terror isn't a talking point in New York, it's a way of life.
Rebuilding an economy isn't an item on an issue checklist, it is what New York does -- and must do.
In my three years here, I've learned that New York does not go along to get along. New York does not follow. New York is where the nation learned to lead, build and grow.
In the spirit of the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who once held this Senate seat, I hope we all will welcome a debate about who's best to work for New York.
...the effect of this race in such an important year cannot be understated. Mr. Ford will not only pose a serious challenge to newly-minted Senator Gillibrand, he will create a new dilemma for the New York State Democratic establishment...
Already, the establishment is supporting an Andy Cuomo Primary of Governor Paterson. If the establishment is now opposing a Primary by former Congressman Ford, there will be a rift created within the Democratic voting base.
This rift will happen if both Mr. Ford and Governor Paterson lose in bitter September Primaries. In the end, New York's GOP candidates will benefit in November because the turnout in the minority community - and across-the-board - will go down significantly, which will be a complete reversal from the Democratic turnout tsunami seen in 2008 that the President rode on to victory.
Mrs. Gillibrand is being supported by the President today because she has voted in lock-step with his agenda - especially on Healthcare, even-though that vote will hurt New York. I'm sure this is why she was selected to replace Hillary Clinton. Gillibrand is nothing more than a rubber-stamp for Obama and a puppet to Sen. Schumer.
Although I don't believe that Republican candidates for Governor and/or US Senate will benefit greatly from the rift being created in the Democratic Party, there are other ways this can benefit our side - especially with control of the New York State Senate hanging in the balance. The Republican Party should use the Democratic infighting taking place in these races to win back the State Senate and to repudiate the anti-New York State policies being passed in Washington D.C. and the anti-NYC policies being passed in Albany.
These soon-to-be bitter Primaries will launch Republican efforts to reverse the 2008 mandate. Fortunately in 2010, Obama, his supporters and his agenda continue to be the gift that just keeps on giving...
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written by Raquel Okyay , January 12, 2010
If Brown wins the Senate seat in Mass next week, everything changes. This is big for Republicans across America, even liberal NY.
2010 may be the best year for Republicans since the Republican takeover of 94.
People are so angry with the healthcare reform bill, that they want to get even with Congress.
These days, Jay, there's a pep in my step, because the Democrats, due to their own arrogance, are GOING DOWN BIGTIME.
What a joke Gillibrand has been, too bad, she had a reputation up North for being fiscally conservative, ha!
If only she would of stood up for New York, rather than play the puppet, she may have had a good career ahead of her. Everyone knows she's a puppet.
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written by Jay Golub , January 12, 2010
"If only she would of stood up for New York, rather than play the puppet, she may have had a good career ahead of her."
Wonderful point, Raquel - and that is the lesson the GOP should learn from all of this.
I will be working diligently to see the Republicans take back the State Senate and, hopefully, the Governor's mansion, but we must learn to not make the mistakes of the past as well as the present.
We must, once elected, keep true to the wishes of the voters and reduce the size of government, reduce the burden of oppressive taxation and bring support for traditional values back to Albany and D.C.
Republicans didn't do that the last few years when in control of Albany and Washington D.C., and we've paid for it over the past few election cycles...
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written by Mark Alesse , January 12, 2010
Most New YOrkers don't know much about Ford, but he built his career in a southern state where the word "liberal" is rightly and generally viewed as a pejorative.
If he pulls this off, and stays true to his roots, it could be a very good thing for moving New York politics toward the center.
It would also help knock Chuck off his high horse and maybe derail his effort to become Majority Leader.
The difference between Ford and Clinton is that Clinton knew from the first that she was using NY to get to the big stage. Ford would remain engaged in helping NYS while in the Senate.
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written by Raquel Okyay , January 12, 2010
Who's to say that Ford doesn't have bigger aspirations than Senator of NY?
Ford may have moved to the middle to win in the South, but what happens if he wins in liberal New York, he moves left of course, which may be the reason he's coming here the first place.
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written by Quickjustice , January 12, 2010
Cross-posted from another article:
I lived in Tennessee for ten years, before moving to Florida. I'm familiar with Tennessee politicians. Ford's father was a highly corrupt Memphis politician and U.S. Congressman who did jail time (IIRC).
Junior brings the conservatism of Tennessee Democrats to New York. (Think Jim Cooper). He's a talented politician who doesn't owe the Harlem machine anything. Had Democrats picked him as their presidential candidate instead of Obama, they wouldn't be tanking now.
This could get interesting.
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written by Raquel Okyay , January 12, 2010
When the President spoke at the Democrat convention in 04, I was impressed, quite frankly. Until I learned more about his record, which ended my impression fast.
I'm afraid Ford may be the same.
As a Conservative, if I moved down South and built a political career, I would stay right, not move to the middle.
I'm not convinced Ford will bring conservatism to New York. Our conservatives are already here, just don't have a big enough voice.
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written by Jay Golub , January 12, 2010
I don't believe Ford to be a conservative. I think he's a political chameleon. He'll be what it takes to win in this race - nothing more, nothing less.
But for Schumer to oppose a Manhattan African-American with a great resume for the job of US Senator for an upstater who votes against the interests of the State (as per both our state's executives), it will create one hell of a debate...
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written by Philipe , January 12, 2010
Today NY AG Andrew Cuomo openly supported the right of Harold Ford to challenge Sen. Kristen Gillibrand in a dem primary. This is very interesting. Could Cuomo and Ford have a deal to work together in shaking up the NY State dem organization?
Cuomo would challenge Paterson in the gubernatorial primary and Ford would face Gillibrand for the senate nod.
__________________________________________
Talk about nepotism.... Cuomo's dad is ex-gov Mario. Ford's father is ex-rep Harold Sr. Paterson's dad is Basil the ex-NY Sec of State and Harlem dem power broker. Gillibrand's dad is a powerful Albany lobbyist and her grandma is an ex-behind the scenes upstate political power house.
__________________________________________
On a sour note, I didn't think things could get worse for David Paterson until I saw this...Gov. Paterson's teenage son arrested for possession of stolen credit card. http://www.nydailynews.com/new...2/2010-01- 12_gov_patersons_teenage_son_arrested_for_possession_of
_stolen_credit_card.html
If it wasn't for bad luck.....
This takes the fun out of bashing Paterson. I mean, how can you kick a guy when he is down? Especially when he is having problems with a kid. I hope the press lays off this unfortunate incident.
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written by Frank Ammendolea , January 12, 2010
Jay is correct. Ford is not a conservative, he's a political chameleon. The problem is he's not even a smart one.
He's now running around NY claiming he's pro-choice and has a pro-NARAL voting record, but apparently there is a taped interview from 2006 with Tucker Carlson in which he states that he is pro-life and that he "doesn't run from that." What a joke. Now as a pro-life Republican, his 2006 position on abortion doesn't trouble me, but to pro-abortion Dems in NY - to whom abortion is the most important civil right next to gay marriage and universal health care - it is going to be a HUGE deal.
I also personally remember him in that 2006 Senate race characterizing himself as a "Jesus loving, gun owning" candidate. OK - good luck selling that one in some parts of NYC. Again, that makes me like him but I;m not a Democrat primary voter.
The fact is that Ford believes none of these faux conservative positions he stated in 2006. He was just running in Tennessee and was playing to his electorate. But he has a record of holding these positions and NY liberal Dem voters are not going to take a chance and give him a Senate seat over an already reliable liberal hack Senator whose shed her previous conservative positions on God, gays and guns.
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written by Daniel Peterson , January 12, 2010
So basically, he's just another Gillibrand.
As a candidate for congress, she was a big time 2nd amendment democrat, but as a senator, she's a wishy washy gun controller bloomberg.
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written by David S. Levine , January 12, 2010
Harold Ford is just another Democ-rat Party fraud. Personally attractive though he is he comes from a thoroughly corrupt political background and his family constantly plays the race card as they are presently doing with Congressman Cohen in Memphis.
While his race may be interesting the great problem here is finding a candidate willing to run a statewide race for a mere two year term. This is, and I hate to write this but the truth must be told, a result of the total lack of Party building in New York these many years. We thought that the way to win was to play on divisions within the Democ-rat Party and do nothing on our own. There was NEVER an effort to simply ask people to enroll Republican. A great opportunity presented itself after the defeat of Ed Koch by the underqualified affirmative action Mayor who succeeded him, Stink N. Dinkins. Just an ad with a picture of Koch and a picture of Dinkins with a caption that read, "They replaced HIM with HIM. Do YOU belong there? Enroll Republican." and a tear off to be sent to a County Republican HQ with the voter contacted later.
There were so many other opportunities and there are again now. Is anything being done to exploit them? I doubt it! A Party can't exist on big buck buyouts forever!
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written by Raquel Okyay , January 13, 2010
"he comes from a thoroughly corrupt political background"
Now this is the biggest problem with both parties. Too busy washing eachothers hands to reach out to others and build the party.
It's a shame, particularly in a year that Republicans are going to show strong.
Anyone consider George Marlin taking a shot at the Senate seat?
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written by Jay Golub , January 23, 2010
http://www.nydailynews.com/new...3/2010-01- 23_pol_hopes_ford_stalls_key_dem_sees_harm_in_challenge
_to_gilly.html
Menendez argued that a bloody Democratic primary in New York between Gillibrand and Ford - who is still mulling the race - would only make a GOP win in November more likely.
"I have said for quite some time: If Democrats want to buy a serious general election challenge in New York, they buy themselves a primary," Menendez said.
The Ford slapdown marked the latest attempt by Democratic Party bigwigs to clear the primary field for Gillibrand, who was appointed last year by Gov. Paterson to fill Hillary Clinton's vacant seat.
...so these guys in the Democratic Party hand-picked their new Puppet, Gillibrand, and now they are making the claim that to make her run in a race to defend her seat would be wrong. Amazing.
If the Republican Party was doing the same, the Democrats would be crying foul on a daily basis.
Let's see how much clout these guys in D.C. really have right now. If Ford or anyone else of stature runs against her, we'll know they're done for good...
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written by Jay Golub , January 25, 2010
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knickerbocker/ ford_likens_gillibrand_to_parakeet_5fU7vldZl8WrWf4GxuIA
AI
the mud keeps flying...
Ford added that the senator wasn't elected "to be a parakeet or to take instructions" from party bosses.
It's not the word The Post has used to describe Gillibrand on its editorial pages - "handpuppet" of Sen. Charles Schumer - but it has a similar meaning.
Asked about why someone should choose him over native upstater Gillibrand, Ford said, "here are people who have all that experience who aren't delivering....you need not have lived there 25 years to understand (the sense that) Washington has lost its way."
He slammed Gillibrand and Schumer for votes on legislation - such as health care reform - that could have a negative impact on their home states, and he rapped Team Gillibrand as distorting his record.
They've been on a tear to "paint me as some sort of Southern zealot," he said. Ford - who recently embraced gay marriage for the first time - accused Gillibrand of switching positions on gay marriage "more aggressively and more fundamentally than I did."
...good stuff...
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