Describing the candidates
We couldn't help but notice the juxtaposition in coverage of Harold Ford and Kirsten Gillibrand this past weekend.
From the New York Times:
Mr. Ford, a five-term congressman from Tennessee, has given himself until the end of February to decide whether to challenge Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand in New York's Democratic primary, but in the first week of a statewide tour, he is quickly revealing what kind of candidate he would be: an effortless retail politician, equally at ease in baroque restaurants and Baptist churches, who makes instant, Clinton-like connections with voters.
And from the New York Daily News:
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is turning herself into a leaner, meaner campaigning machine - showing a slimmer silhouette as a tough election battle looms.
Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) confirmed to the Daily News what observers have been noticing in recent months - she's dropped some pounds.
She declined to say how many, but outsiders are betting 15 to 20.
Let's just go on the record right now: we won't even think of voting for Harold Ford until we know how many calories he eats each day.
By the way: Ford is at the Capitol in Albany today and says he's strongly considering a challenge to Gillibrand for the Democratic nomination. [@kaitlynross1] [@WNYT]
Earlier on AOA:
+ Does she sound like a senator?
+ The quick scan of Ford/Gillibrand
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
I need to see them both naked before I can make an informed decision. That apparently is how voters in Masachusetts decide.
... said chrisck on Jan 25, 2010 at 12:08 PM | link
I admist I'm not terribly informed about Ford. The article says he's from Tennessee. Why would I, a New Yorker, choose to be represented by a Tennesean?
... said Melissa on Jan 25, 2010 at 1:01 PM | link
In the Times article I did a double-take when I read that Ford promised a Senate staff job to a disgruntled unemployed voter. That's some refreshing & traditional quid pro quo! He'll fit right in New York politics.
... said Bob on Jan 25, 2010 at 1:06 PM | link
I'm with Melissa. We already had one senator who moved here from another state simply to get the job. Why should we want that again?
... said AJ on Jan 25, 2010 at 1:13 PM | link
I hope no-one jumps to the conclusion that this disparity is because she is a woman - everyone knows that you measure personality for the challenger and pounds for the incumbent. Policies don't come into it at all of course.
... said the_exile on Jan 25, 2010 at 1:25 PM | link
@Melissa --- Srsly, Tennessee hasn't done anything useful since the TVA in the 1930's.
Here's how they rank on the good stuff, compared to the 50 other states:
+ 47th infant mortality
+ 45th high school dropouts
+ 36th percent of children living in poverty
... said abby on Jan 25, 2010 at 1:34 PM | link
Can we see where Arkansas ranks in those categories?
... said ph on Jan 25, 2010 at 7:49 PM | link
Speaking of Arkanas and Clinton here's a funny Lewis Black line on both
"I never thought that Bill Clinton should be the president. When he was running to be the president of the United States, he said on over a hundred occasions, he said the following: He said, 'One of the great accomplishments while I was the governor of Arkansas, was to take my state in education from 50th to 49th.' And I thought, ' you know, Bill, you should keep that a secret.' "
... said daleyplanit on Jan 26, 2010 at 12:14 PM | link
Ford brings the flip to the flop on gay marriage and abortion rights. Big thanks again to Stephen Colbert for covering this issue better than the NY media.
http://www.colbertnation.com/full-episodes/mon-january-25-2010-kati-marton
... said abby on Jan 27, 2010 at 10:07 AM | link
@abby: Heh. We're just about to post that!
... said Greg on Jan 27, 2010 at 10:22 AM | link