NEW YORK — Former U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. began crafting his argument Tuesday for a potential bid to unseat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, reinventing himself as an independent thinker battling "Washington insiders."
Ford has not decided yet whether to get into this year's Democratic primary in New York, but the former congressman from Tennessee wrote a piece in Tuesday's New York Post saying he was "strongly considering running."
He is doing so, he said, because the nation is at its best when "we trust competition to refine the steel of our convictions and the truth of our arguments."
Ford, a member of the National Rifle Association who often quoted Scripture on the campaign trail and believes illegal immigrants caught without documentation should be deported, also is launching an effort to reinvent himself in a way that might be more appealing to blue state voters.
He also is hinting at what would likely be a central theme for a campaign that comes a year after several incumbents in New York and New Jersey were unseated with the help of an unsatisfied electorate.
New Yorkers, he said in the Post, expect politicians to "do what's right based on independent judgment, free of political bosses trying to dictate."
Ford also has a book due out later this year. "More Davids Than Goliaths: A Political Education," from Crown Publishing Group, is set for a September release, according to amazon.com.
Ford, 39, moved to New York and took a job with Merrill Lynch & Co. after losing the 2006 Tennessee Senate race following 10 years in Congress.
He also spends time as a television pundit on MSNBC and lives in Manhattan with his wife, whom he married in 2008.
A Democrat challenging Gillibrand in New York would face a formidable and united party establishment — Gillibrand is backed by the White House along with the state's senior senator, Chuck Schumer and Gov. David Paterson.
Gillibrand was appointed to the seat by Paterson after Hillary Rodham Clinton left to become secretary of state for the Obama administration.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs was asked Monday about possible efforts to help Gillibrand by getting rid of any Democratic challengers. Gibbs replied, "stay tuned."
Ford's spokesman Davidson Goldin shot back Tuesday.
"While Robert Gibbs is saying 'stay tuned' about Washington insiders obstructing a free election in New York state," Goldin told The Associated Press, "Harold Ford is focused on independent leadership ... not what party bosses want to dictate."
Ford, a centrist Democrat, has often been more aligned with conservatives on many issues, and has been hard to pin down on abortion rights.
He insisted in the New York Post piece Tuesday that he is "pro-choice" and that "any assertions to the contrary are false."
But he described his position this way in 2006: "I believe life is the best choice, and that it should be the goal of policy makers to reduce abortions."
Ford also supported posting the Ten Commandments in public schools, and opposed gay marriage.
Ford said in the Post that he has always supported civil unions, and after consideration, has recently come to support gay marriage.
As a congressman he consistently voted in favor of amending the Constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
He may have some work ahead of him convincing voters where he stands on social issues.
The executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, a gay rights group, called Ford a "snake oil salesman" in a statement Monday.
Local News
Related Photos
-
AP File Photos
Related Links
Discussion
ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.
Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.
Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.
We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.
Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:
There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.
Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.
Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.
Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)
Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”
Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.
Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.
Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.
In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.
Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.
We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
Ford expected to challenge Gillibrand in Senate primary
- Local News
-
-
Surplus funds keep After-School Program alive
The Moriah and Willsboro sites run by Adirondack Community Action Programs is not closing after all.
-
Montreal woman dies in Westport crash
Angela Pierre, 69, was ejected from the vehicle when its driver lost control on Interstate 87 in Westport.
-
Burlington hospital makes interim chief permanent
Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that Dr. John Brumsted will move from interim to permanent president and CEO.
-
Recovery Center to hold open house
Smashing stereotypes and eliminating the stigma of mental-health issues has led to formation of a new place in Franklin County for clients to get wrap-around services to help them rejoin the community.
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Love between the lines
Dr. Nell Irvin Painter of New Russia and Plattsburgh State's Dr. J.W. Wiley share historical and current viewpoints on interracial loving, American-style. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
Cheerleading photos (2/12/12)
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Lookback: Feb. 13-19
News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 13, 2012
Peru Central School Board to hold budget discussion; Dannemora to discuss highway post; Beekmantown School Board invites budget input; Willsboro School Board to discuss policies; Chazy School Board to discuss budget; SLCS Board to appoint clerk pro-tem; Keeseville Zoning Board cancels meeting; Elizabethtown-Lewis School Board to work on budget.
-
Gourds' shapes create interesting canvas
Georgette Bacon's gourd art is on display through March 10 at Foothills ARTSociety in Malone.
- February 12, 2012
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
Surplus funds keep After-School Program alive
- Recent Article Comments
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
