Althouse: Harold Ford Jr.: "If I run, the likely result would be a brutal and highly negative Democratic primary..."

March 1, 2010

Harold Ford Jr.: "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."

22 comments:

Charlie said...: What a wus.; 3/1/10, 10:47 PM
Peter V. Bella said...: So Chuck Shumer's "protege" and sock puppet will get the nod. Ford is a quitter. NY is doomed. Just may as well bring the Cankle back.; 3/1/10, 10:50 PM
Kev said...: (the other kev)

"And with half my family in prison or on trial, money's tight."; 3/1/10, 10:51 PM
traditionalguy said...: He said that he could beat the Democrat, but why bother and then lose to the GOP candidate anyway. I hope his analysis is correct.; 3/1/10, 10:59 PM
Joe said...: Might this have to do with his minor problem with not paying taxes in New York? Things like that really do piss off the electorate, especially in a place as gouging as New York.; 3/1/10, 11:01 PM
1775OGG said...: Ford: That's the spirit, return to the days of old, back room deals, no messy primaries, just good neat decision making without all that terribly unsightly democracy.

The Democrat Party, where the elites hang out!; 3/1/10, 11:33 PM
Fred4Pres said...: Harold, if you ran you would get your butt kicked. That is why you are not running.; 3/1/10, 11:57 PM
Ralph L said...: Translation: I don't think I can win the primary.

Who was the last Republican Senator from NY, D'Pothole?; 3/2/10, 12:22 AM
rhhardin said...: Imus was going to nail Ford with sound clips that everybody would think is his theme song, if Ford ran.

"Backstabbing snivelling little skunk and gutless weasel."; 3/2/10, 1:53 AM
noahp said...: Testing.

Lived in Memphis where this guy came of age. Never liked his politics but respected him.

But his shedding of all the baggage he carried in order for success in TN is pretty disgusting. Plus he is a tax cheat.

Good riddance.

wv: liess "woman"; 3/2/10, 2:27 AM
Anonymous said...: Shorter Ford? "If I ran, the conservatives would defeat me."

So, he's smart not to run.

All other Democrats would be smart to pull out of their races as well, so as to avoid being defeated in the upcoming elections.

Better not to run than to get the smell of "loser" on you.

Pull out of your races now and secure your futures as viable candidates. If you lose a race, you're career is over.

You can always come out of "retirement" later.; 3/2/10, 6:46 AM
Arturius said...: Is there a reason that NY attracts carpetbaggers for its Senate races?; 3/2/10, 7:12 AM
Anonymous said...: "Is there a reason that NY attracts carpetbaggers for its Senate races?"

Yes.

The city is corrupt in almost every way, so every disgraced corrupt politician from everywhere in the country eventually ends up there after they wear out their welcome locally.

Hillary was never going to be elected dog catcher in Arkansas. But in New York, even a scumbag racist like Hillary Clinton can make it.

(And she is a racist ... just ask Obama's campaign spokesman.)

Disgraced Jews always emigrate to Israel, right? This is the same phenomenon.; 3/2/10, 7:35 AM
Skyler said...: I guess maybe New York has too small of a population that it must import all of its politicians.

I wonder what the fascination is with this guy?; 3/2/10, 7:36 AM
Joaquin said...: Wow! I'm shocked that a clean, well spoken Black man wouldn't run.; 3/2/10, 7:39 AM
Factory Yoyo said...: How soon before he cries "Racism!", even though he is lighter than I am.; 3/2/10, 7:39 AM
AllenS said...: Harold Ford, Jr. is darker than Hillary Clinton.; 3/2/10, 7:54 AM
MadisonMan said...: Well, he realized he hadn't a snowball's chance in Hell's Kitchen. You can put lipstick on a pig of an excuse, but it's still a pig.

wv: econglow; 3/2/10, 7:54 AM
Wince said...: What's that street expression that comes to mind?

Oh yea, this one.; 3/2/10, 8:08 AM
MadisonMan said...: I would absolutely die laughing if someone used that phrase to describe his dropping out. Come on Leno -- make my day and a great headline!; 3/2/10, 8:11 AM
Roux said...: I think he realized that the "light-skinned African American with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one" shtick can only work every now and then....; 3/2/10, 12:24 PM
Douglas2 said...: I thought he would have been a much better fit for New York state as a whole than he was for TN, and without the family baggage that exists only in TN.
But he really bungled his start on this race with interviews that showed he wasn't really a NYS local and by taking positions on culture-war issues which were opposite his recent campaign statements of his last senate race.; 3/2/10, 12:42 PM