New York Times Analyzes Ford's Decision Not To Challenge Gillibrand For N.Y. Senate Seat

The New York Times on Tuesday examined how former Rep. Harold Ford (D-Tenn.) came to concede that a campaign against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in the Democratic primary "would be a brutal fight dominated by endless debates about when he began paying taxes as a New Yorker and the sincerity of his support for gay marriage and abortion rights." After weeks of courting Democratic donors and traveling the state to meet with voters, Ford announced on Monday that he would not challenge Gillibrand in the primary.

According to the Times, "Ford knew that some liberals would attack his relatively conservative voting record but, those he spoke with said, he was taken aback by the depth of the anger he encountered from advocates for abortion rights and gay marriage." Reporters uncovered examples of Ford describing himself as "pro-life" during his time in the House. Ford responded that he has always supported abortion rights, and he hoped to put the matter to rest. However, his earlier statements on abortion continued to attract attention, and Ford "was dumbfounded that it kept tripping him up," a Ford friend told the Times. Some New York officials also questioned Ford's experience in politics and his ability to fund a meaningful campaign against Gillibrand.

Ford met with Kelli Conlin, the president of NARAL Pro-Choice New York, in an attempt to "neutralize a foe," the Times reports. Conlin asked Ford for clarification of his abortion views and legislative history, including his support for a bill to limit abortion later in pregnancy even if the woman's health is in jeopardy. Ford responded by asking why NARAL did not excoriate Gillibrand for supporting the Senate's health reform bill (HR 3590), which includes restrictions on health insurance coverage of abortion. At the meeting's conclusion, Ford said that he hoped to meet with Conlin again to ask for her group's support if he chose to run, to which Conlin replied, "We can never support you if you take these positions." Ford "looked shocked" by her response, according to a person in the room at the time (Barbaro [1], New York Times, 3/2).

Zuckerman Will Not Challenge Gillibrand

In related news, billionaire publisher and real estate developer Mortimer Zuckerman announced Tuesday that he will not challenge Gillibrand for the Senate seat this year, despite growing speculation that he would run in November's election. Zuckerman, who likely would have run as a self-financed Republican candidate, considered Gillibrand vulnerable and told friends that he thought his status as a political outsider would be valuable in the election (Barbaro [2], New York Times, 3/2).


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