Paterson Does Not Oppose a Ford Senate Bid

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: NY Times

This is beginning to look a bit familiar.

Gov. David A. Paterson, who did major damage to his political career last year by constantly contradicting himself about whether he would appoint Caroline Kennedy to the United States Senate, went on Don Imus’s radio program Wednesday morning and offered encouraging words for Harold E. Ford Jr., the former Tennessee congressman who is weighing a primary challenge to Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand.

Never mind that just two days ago the governor suggested that Mr. Ford “might look for another state to run a primary.”

In the interview with Mr. Imus, Mr. Paterson said that while he supported Ms. Gillibrand, he believed Mr. Ford should be able to run for Senate in New York.

Read more: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/now-paterson-supports-a-ford-run-for-senate/

[Cha]

1. Oh well, Ford's

going to do anyway, so bring it. Then when he loses he can go find another state.

[Me.]

2. Is Patterson Completely Put Of His Mind?

Ford? I sense another SNL skit coming up/

[laughingliberal]

3. I wonder if this is more about his semi feud with President Obama?

Just a thought.

[pscot]

5. I see a primary campaign

with divisive racial overtones. Yuck. :banghead:

[TheWraith]

6. I think the NY Times is twisting this. They're in Ford's pocket.

Or rather they're in Bloomberg's pocket, and thus anti-Gillibrand/pro-Ford.

[GodlessBiker]

4. Hell. almost anyone who is asked if Ford should run is likely to say, "Sure, anyone interested ...

should run. It's a free country." Even I would say that if asked by a reporter, even though I am dead set against Ford being our next senator.

Anyone who comes out and says someone who is interested in a political job shouldn't run for it, sounds like a political hack who has no respect for the democratic process; and that has nothing to do with who the person wants to win any primary which might be held.

[zipplewrath]

7. Check out what Gibbs said

From your keyboard to Gibb's ears. This is roughly what the White House should have said. To much Rahm in them noodles though.

[No Elephants]

13. Good one. That's what I am going to call him from now on.

Rahm N. Noodles. Or, just Noodles. Love it. thanks.

[bertman]

10. Exactly, GodlessBiker. Well said. nt

[madrchsod]

8. he went on imus?...

backing ford would be the kiss of death for any dem in new york.

[No Elephants]

14. Imus seems to have had a man crush on Ford for years.

Figures. Imus is Republican. But, I did enjoy Imus having to rip about the RNC for the ad against Ford that had "racial overtones." (I thought it was flat out, visceral KKK racist, but maybe that's just me.)

[lsewpershad]

9. Anymore questions

why he should not be gov of NY?

[Earth_First]

11. Backlash for the White House suggesting he not run a primary against Cuomo?

:shrug:

[mdmc]

12. He supports Gillibrand, but thinks Ford is free to run since this is a democracy

..

[No Elephants]

15. I guess this is a news story because the Gov. said 2 days ago that Ford should go elsewhere to run?

I am starting to long for the pre-Internet days, when a new story contained actutal news of events that were more significant than lint in a T shirt factory. IMO, this is hurting politics, especially Democrats, since the media is not our friend. They just keep stirring pots re: Democrats over nothing.

As for this "story:"

Anyone should run wherever they really want to run. (But some choices are wiser than others, for both the candidate and the Party.) Duh.


That's all Patterson's remarks about Ford, taken together, mean.

News Flash. New York's Democratic Gov. Patterson supports the notion of America as a free country.

[robcon]

16. Neither Paterson nor Obama should have anything to say about who runs

It's up to the NY Democrats in their primary.