Harold Ford won't seek New York Senate seat: report

Reuters ^ | March 1, 2010 | Peter Cooney; Editing by Chris Wilson

[americanophile]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Harold Ford, a former representative from Tennessee, will not challenge Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the New York Democratic primary, The New York Times reported on Monday.

In an opinion piece it said would be published in the Times on Tuesday, the newspaper quoted Ford as writing: "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."

"I refuse to do anything that would help Republicans win a Senate seat in New York, and give the Senate majority to the Republicans," Ford wrote in the column.

Democrats face a battle in November's congressional elections as they seek to retain their majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Gillibrand was appointed to the Senate last year by New York Democratic Governor David Paterson to replace Hillary Clinton who became secretary of state.

Paterson last week abandoned his campaign to seek a full term in November, battered by questions of impropriety and growing pressure to quit the race.

[americanophile]

Everyone's falling into line. Still, Ford's no fool. He knows an off-year when he sees one.

[truth_seeker]

Smart Boy

[vladimir998]

In other words, he knows he’d be the loser.

[RabidBartender]

And Guiliani won’t run, so Gillibrand will probably be re-elected.

A pity.

[dennisw]

TRANSLATION:
I couldn’t raise a dime because I’m a carpet bagging maggot from a Tennessee crime family

[Drill Thrawl]

Buh bye carpet bagger.

[Bronzy]

I remember when Ford wanted the Speaker position . I was in favor of him being Speaker.