Harold Ford Has Decided Not to Lose to Kirsten Gillibrand in November

Wise and selfless nomadic senatorial candidate Harold Ford announced today in an op-ed in the New York Times that — after some deep soul-searching and a lot of personal reflection — he has decided not to push an ugly and divisive Democratic primary battle in the state he just moved to a few months after his failed 2006 Senate race in Tennessee…

When it was reported two months ago that I was thinking seriously about running for the United States Senate from New York, Democratic Party insiders started their own campaign to bully me out of the race… But as I traveled around New York, I began to understand why the party bosses felt the need to use such heavy-handed tactics: They're nervous. New Yorkers are clamoring for change. Our political system — so bogged down in partisan fighting — is sapping the morale of New Yorkers and preventing government at every level from fulfilling its duty…

I believe raising these issues over the last two months has forced Democrats and Republicans alike to do better. And I will continue holding their feet to the fire. But I will not do so as a candidate for senator from New York.

I’ve examined this race in every possible way, and I keep returning to the same fundamental conclusion: If I run, the likely result would be a brutal and highly negative Democratic primary — a primary where the winner emerges weakened and the Republican strengthened.

So, what's next to Harold Ford? Well, I guess it's time for a slightly sadder and wiser Ford to strap on his backpack, hit the open road with an extended thumb and a glimmer of hope in his heart that the next state will be the one to welcome him with open arms into their open senate seat. The one that will not have him trailing in the primary polls by 18 points. The one that is more friendly to people who aren't friendly to gay people.

One must keep hope alive.

Tags: Harold Ford Jr., Kirsten Gillibrand, New York, Primaries, Senate

Colbert Interviews Harold Ford Jr.

After naming him last week's Alpha Dog, Stephen Colbert had Harold Ford Jr. on last night to defend some apparent changes in his positions. It turns out transforming from a pro-life, anti-gay right-of-center Tennessean Blue Dog into a dyed in the wool liberal New Yorker doesn't make Ford a flip-flopper after all. It's just like in nature when a caterpillar emerges from its cocoon as a beautiful hippopotamus.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

Tags: Harold Ford Jr., Kirsten Gillibrand, New York, Senate, Stephen Colbert, Tennessee, The Colbert Report, Video

Colbert Salutes Flip-Flopping Carpetbagger Harold Ford Jr.

It used to be when someone like Madonna changed everything about herself every couple years, she was celebrated for reinventing herself. So is there really anything different from that and when Harold Ford Jr. goes from being a Blue Dog Tennessean to a liberal New Yorker? Of course not. And if you think that's something, just wait until he adopts a vague British accent and goes techno.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

Tags: Democrats, Harold Ford Jr., New York, Primaries, Senate, Stephen Colbert, Tennessee, The Colbert Report, Video

Mark Warner to Give DNC Keynote Speech

Looks like former Virginia Governor Mark Warner has been tapped to deliver the keynote address at this year's Democratic Convention in Denver.

Warner considered a presidential run early in 2007, then was widely discussed as a potential running mate for either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, but finally decided to pursue the open Senate seat in Virginia instead.

Oddly enough, Warner will be one of a very few Democratic keynote speakers in recent memory who is not African-American. Here are the previous honorees, their races, and what they're doing now…

2004: Illinois State Senator Barack Obama (African-American). Currently still involved in politics in some way, I'm not exactly sure.

2000: Tennessee Representative Harold Ford, Jr. (African-American). Ran for the U.S. Senate in 2006, lost narrowly, and is currently an MSNBC talking head.

1996: Indiana Governor Evan Bayh (not technically African-American, but he loved "Soul Plane.") Currently definitely not trying to be the Vice President, that's for sure, although if someone asked he wouldn't necessarily say no.

1992: Texas Representative Barbara Jordan (African-American). Currently deceased, but has an airport terminal named after her. And that' something.

So, if history is any indicator, Warner has a big future to look forward to. And, who knows, if the Dems fall short this November, maybe he can even be the first black president.

Tags: Barack Obama, Democratic National Convention, Evan Bayh, Harold Ford Jr., Mark Warner, Virginia