Harold Ford Jr. addresses the NY Gays

I will say this, Harold enjoys conflict. And he's about to face it head on with the Stonewall Dems.
He's meeting with them in 2 weeks and it's been described that he's walking into a lion's den.

"I don't think he's aware of what the gay community is like in New York," said Marty Algaze, a veteran of both LGBT and Democratic politics. "He's walking into a lion's den."

"...A lot of people don't like him, and I have a feeling they're going to be a little hostile," Algaze continued. "If somebody asked me if I was supporting him, I would say: 'No. I'm supporting Sen. (Kirsten) Gillibrand. This is a good opportunity for the club and the community to hear what he has to say, not just these sound bites he gives on TV."

"He gets rid of the issue really quick and then changes the subject. It's time for him to be grilled on these issues and see what he really knows."

And a group, called The Power, plans on "confronting" him. Here's the facebook invo:

On Wednesday, February 24th at 6 p.m., The Power invites you to join us in confronting anti-LGBT Senate hopeful Harold Ford, Jr. when he addresses the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City at the LGBT Community Services Center at 208 West 13th Street (between 7th & 8th Avenue). Be there early and invite all your friends to stand united against his lies.

Now Ford lives in New York, the state with the largest LGBT population in the country, and is on the verge of mounting a Democratic primary challenge against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand who has established herself as one of the most outspoken advocates of LGBT equality in the Senate, endorsing The Power's petition to expand the Civil Rights Act to include LGBT people, declaring her support for same-sex marriage, and leading the fight to end Don't Ask Don't Tell.

Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, Ford says that now he supports same-sex marriage. While our movement depends on people changing their opinions, we do not need people who lie to us and take us for granted. In fact, we need to show such people we won't tolerate them. Ford has also been lying about his record on a woman's right to choose, so much so that Planned Parenthood actually issued a statement insisting that he stop calling himself pro-choice.

It is imperative that the LGBT community turn out next Wednesday to confront Ford and to demonstrate to the Democratic Party and Ford's fat cat donors (most notably Maureen White and Steve Rattner), that we will not be taken for granted, that we will not be lied to, and that after the election of 2008 we can recognize the difference between someone pandering for our endorsement and someone who is truly a fierce advocate.

That's cute, announce your plans so you can get busted.

I tell you, sometimes the gay activists cause more of the drama than the haters.

Interesting Quote: Karl Rove

“He’s a guy with a lot of intelligence and a lot of drive and ambition, and (incumbent Democratic New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is) a weak candidate. We’ll see how it plays out. He’s an aggressive campaigner. He’s had a few missteps here at the beginning, but … (Ford) is an articulate, attractive candidate who can sway crowds. He needs to have a message that resonates with New Yorkers. New York has been accepting of candidates who’ve moved in from elsewhere. Robert Kennedy, as you know, was elected to the Senate from New York even though he was from Massachusetts, and former first lady Hillary Clinton was elected to the Senate from New York even though she spent most of her adult years in Arkansas.”

Karl speaking about my ex-husband, Harold Ford Jr.

Harold, this is your life

you're breaking my heart

Harold Ford Jr.: I'm Coming for New York

The man that's stirring up drama is keeping the show on the road.

Harold, in his own words, pleads his case in NY Post. Here are some key pieces:

I am pro-choice -- have always been since I entered politics almost 15 years ago. My cumulative grade with NARAL during 10 years in Congress was right at 80 percent. Any assertions to the contrary are false.

Well, this clip says otherwise.

Not cute, cutie.

And from the moment I arrived in Congress, I supported civil unions. Like New York's senior senator, after listening to and participating in the national conversation about full equality and fairness, I support same-sex marriage.

Okay, you said "you thought about it". But your actions needs to speak, Harold.

Despite what critics say about me, I enjoyed uninterrupted support from organized labor throughout my time in Congress.

This is KEY, this is where he's super strong. If he wins these folks, it's almost over. That's Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's kryptonite.

Again, I'm not defending him. I'm trying to keep an open mind.

Harold is a strange creature because his credentials has both positive and negative aspects. But again, his actions will be the true judge of character.

The Interesting thing about Harold Ford Jr.

Harold Ford Jr.

Sexy, smart, southerner, politician... Sexy.

Okay, enough of my fantasy stuff; here's the story, Harold may run for Senator of NY.

Meaning, he will (if he decides to) run against Kirsten E. Gillibrand, NY's Golden Lesbian and current Senator. Many have stressed that he has great chance of winning and to be honest, he could win this thing.

But, his voting record could be the 'HALT' for many LGBT folks. For example: He voted yes on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage, against including us in the Hate Crimes Act and voted no on ENDA.

I was deeply hurt when I found out about this, however, that was his stance 6 years ago. At this point, we are not sure of where he stands on these matters today. Now, I'm not completely defending him, I'm just waiting to hear where he is in 2010... People can change.

But some don't think so and have already launched a campaign against him.
Alan van Capelle, Pride Agenda Executive Director said:

“Ford supports a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. In fact, he voted for the Federal Marriage Amendment both times it reached the House floor. He has also gone out of his way to condemn court rulings (New Jersey’s, for example) that called for equal treatment under the law for same-sex couples. During his last year in the House, Ford received a 25 (out of 100) rating on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard.”

Okay, fair points, but again this is from 6 years ago.

I think Harold is a smart man. Smart enough to know that his anti-gay views will not get him elected. But if he still holds those anti-gay views, I can't stand for him.

So the jury is still out of Harold (or at least in my book)

***if you want to see his record, go here