Rep. Ford will run for Frist's seat

[paineinthearse]

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Campaign/021605_ford.html

Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) is expected to announce next week that he will run for the Senate, seeking to replace Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) when he retires in 2006. Ford’s office declined to comment on his senatorial plans, but three sources close to Ford said that he has decided to run and that an announcement will be made soon. One informed source said, “He will absolutely, 100 percent, run for the Senate. He wants that seat.”

<snip>

The source said business leaders in Memphis are lining up behind Ford and noted that the congressman is conservative on fiscal matters. Ford last year indicated support for Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-S.C.) Social Security reform bill.

While the odds are against Ford’s winning the seat, the source said Ford will raise a lot of money: “He will raise money from California to New York to Florida and everywhere in between.”

State Sen. Rosalind Kurita is the only other Democrat who has entered the race. Three Republicans have launched their campaigns, including former Rep. Ed Bryant, state Rep. Beth Harwell and Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker. Former Rep. Van Hilleary (R) is also considering jumping into the race.

[Roland99]

1. Is it just me or...

should anyone running for office for a particular state or in a particular state be required to raise money from within that state only?

I don't care if you're Dem, Rep, Ind, Green, etc. Senators are to represent their State's interests. Representatives are to...gee...represent their actual consituents.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. At least he wants to protect Social Security!

[SharonAnn]

3. Unfortunately, not much else. I really prefer a Democrat who's

a Democrat, not a faux Republican.

And I'm really serious about women's rights, including the right to choose. I don't get the impressions that he thinks it's important.

I used to think he was "centrist" until it became obvious that he's "Republican Lite".

[tnlefty]

4. In Dec. Ford attended a couple of events in Chattanooga and

he seemed to piss off quite a few people during his appearance at a "Friends of Ford" stop. My phone, and the phone of a friend, rang off the hook for the next 2 days. We jokingly said that the event should be renamed Enemies of Ford. He seems to think that we need to revisit abortion, need an amendment to smack gays around, and he got downright testy over the subject of election fraud.

The very people that he's going to need to stuff envelopes, to help raise money, to phone bank, knock on doors, etc. are the ones that he angered.

[johnaries]

11. TNLefty, I (finally) responded to your post in the other thread

about Kurita, but I waited so long I'll bet you gave up.

Anyway, here's a link that gives the "basics":
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/senate/members/s22.htm

It also has her email address, and she's the type who will respnd and answer anything you want to know. She's loved in our district, and she would make an excellent Senator. She's also an excellent campaigner - she would KICK A**! I'd love to see her in a race against Van Hileary, she'd make mince-meat out of him.

[tnlefty]

12. Sorry that I missed it - I got busy is more like it. Thanks for this

as I truly want to know more about her and how the folks in her district think of her. I'll try to contact her and I'm pretty sure that I'll see her in April. I spoke with a friend who is trying to get an interview with her and I have my fingers crossed about that, too.

Thanks again....gotta go make signs for a rally tomorrow! :hi:

[johnaries]

13. Down in Choo-Choo- Town? I saw and was thinking about

driving down, but got to take care of some 'weekend chores' first. If i don't make it, GIVE 'EM HELL! :toast:

[Claire Beth]

5. i doubt Ford can win but ?? n/t

[SixShooter]

6. Who gets the R nod?

Will it be Van?

[grumpy old fart]

7. The chance of anyone but another helmet head repuke are nil.....

this state is as backward and red as it gets. Even my little blue corner (Memphis)has an ungodly number of "W" stickered SUVs...Any Dem who might have a ghost of a chance will have to be at least a repug lite. Or, might a real truth telling Christan progressive have a chance?...nah.

[politicasista]

8. I am glad he is running

Hope he can win.

[safi0]

9. Not from Tennessee

But was is this I hear about Tim McGraw possibly running for the Senate seat. Is this just another internet rumor, or is their some truth behind this. The fact that hes country music royalty would pretty much make up for the fact that hes a Dem.

[Bombtrack]

10. It won't happen in 06 for McGraw, but it's possible for the future

from everything I've gathered about that interesting prospect ( Tim being a dem interested in TN office ) 06 isn't in the cards for him.