New Yorkers Should Test Drive Ford Before November

Listen up, my New York friends.  The Times is reporting that former Democratic Congressman and Tennessean turned temporary New Yorker, Harold Ford, Jr., is volunteering to run against incumbent Democratic Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand. Sen. Gillibrand was appointed last term by Gov. Patterson to fill Hillary Clinton’s vacant Senate seat.  I am a firm believer in choice, and my convictions don’t stop short of political primaries.  I believe a good, competitive, battle is at times necessary to win the war.  I also feel it’s important to know the candidates vying for your affection, and in this case it is imperative.

Harold Ford, Jr. is handsome, urbane, and charismatic.  In fact, according to the Village Voice, Ford likes to appear as the hottest cat to come out of Memphis since Elvis.  That’s all well and good for the corporately connected candidate, but there are a few things LGBT voters should know before supporting those blue suede Manolo Blahniks you can believe in.

Ford supports a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. In fact, while he was the Congressman from Tennessee, Ford voted for the Federal Marriage Amendment both times it reached the House floor. Ford also refused to co-sponsor other pro-LGBT legislation, such as the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, or the Uniting American Families Act, which would provide same-sex partners of U.S. citizens the same immigration benefits legal spouses enjoy.  During his tenure, Ford received a 25 out of a 100 rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s Congressional Scorecard.  Recently, utilizing his political pundit persona, Ford has publicly condemned court rulings that called for equal treatment under the law for same-sex couples.  Conversely, in her inaugural year as Senator, Gillibrand lead the call for repealing “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, was the first New York Senator to voice public support of same-sex marriage rights, and has been an adamant supporter of all federal pro-LGBT legislation introduced.

Harold Ford, Jr has demonstrated an ideologically conservative politic.  In addition to his poor record on LGBT rights, he has supported a limit on a woman’s right to choose, called for more Democratic support of the Iraq War, was one of the few Democrats to vote for the Bankruptcy Bill, and supported the Republican effort to ignore personal privacy and intercede in the Terri Schiavo case.  Hmm…I don’t know, New York.  Do you think if you took the sage advice of the Conservative talking point this week and just SAID Democrat more…Harold Ford, Jr would become one?

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