The Empire Page

Harold Ford is the next hot thing in New York politics. He is young, telegenic, slick, rich, personable and with a good political pedigree. Like many New York Democrats, I hoped he would become a Senator from Tennessee and were dismayed by the smear campaign against him. However, as he mulls a campaign against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand it is clear he is the wrong person to represent New York in the Senate.  Gillibrand was criticized for stances on gun control and immigration when she was appointed to the but her views on these issues have evolved and  she has a very progressive record in the Senate on issues ranging from labor to health care.

For a Democrat, Harold Ford has a very conservative record and views.  Beyond his well documented NRA membership and pro-life views, Ford is currently showing himself to be a creature of Wall Street and is the Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council which pushes a conservative Democratic agenda. In the Times he said he strongly supported the no strings Wall Street bailout since he is “a capitalist.” As bankers prepare to gorge themselves on bonuses based on a government bailout, without changing their habits, it is clear that the old rules of capitalism must be changed and we need  a Senator who will push for that, not one who is the Vice Chairman of Merrill Lynch.

Like Mike Bloomberg, Ford will try to position himself as an independent running against the political establishment. However, it needs to be firmly stated that he is a part of the establishment in New York. The people that really pull the strings in the financial and real estate industries know they will have a friend in the Senate with Ford. On the conservative stands Gillibrand was criticized for, there is very little difference with Ford. However, there is a world of difference between them on the progressive stands Gillibrand has taken.  Ford’s “independence” should not fool anyone into thinking he is truly on the side of most New Yorkers or in line with our beliefs. He is not. We need and deserve a Senator who will promote the values of New York, not Tennessee.