Harold Ford Jr.: U.S. Senator From New York?

I thought ol' boy was trying to become Hollywood's chief lobbyist? Anyway, hat tip to reader Queen for this story. Apparently, a poll is being conducted on Harold Ford Jr.'s behalf to gauge his chances of running for a U.S. Senate seat in New York, where he has had a home for three years. The moderate-liberal politico also reportedly told people he's toying with making a Democratic primary challenge next year against appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who polls show is struggling to connect with voters despite nearly a year in office. As many Booker Rising readers know, Mr. Ford Jr. - a former five-term Congressman - unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate in Tennessee back in 2006.

The New York Observer writes: "Glenn Thrush notes that although Mr. Ford has reportedly been skeptical about the idea of running in New York, a commenter claims to have received a polling phone call that included Mr. Ford's name. This would seem to indicate the Tennesseean is testing the waters. Among the reasons this seems somewhat ridiculous is the fact that Mr. Ford, who is no Hillary Clinton, just moved here (meaning that Democrats indignant about the selection of Ms. Gillibrand might be even angrier about his own presumptuousness), and the fact that he's actually more conservative than Ms. Gillibrand (meaning that he wouldn't be able to primary her from the left, where she was thought to be vulnerable). So with less than a year, the credible challenges to Ms. Gillibrand remain, as Al D'Amato points out, merely "mythical."

Crain's New York Business writes: "Ford would have some advantages over Gillibrand in a Democratic primary. He has more experience in Congress — 10 years to Gillibrand's three — and in statewide races, having run for Senate in Tennessee in 2006. As a 39-year-old, handsome African-American, he could appeal to Obama voters. Minority candidates tend to do well in New York City, which provides the bulk of the votes in a statewide Democratic primary. But he would face numerous obstacles. President Obama and Sen. Schumer support Gillibrand, which would depress Ford's fundraising. Ford is new to New York. And the gay and abortion-rights communities in New York would back Gillibrand, who supports choice and gay marriage, over Ford, who has voted for restrictions on abortion and bans on same-sex marriage and benefits for same-sex partners. 'Someone should inform the former congressman that ours is a pro-choice state and he will need to renounce his anti-choice positions if he wants to have any hope,' says a NARAL Pro-Choice New York spokeswoman."