On March 1, the New York Times published an Op-Ed by Harold Ford, Jr. where he addressed why he would not run for the US Senate in 2010.
The months leading up to this announcement had rocked the New York and national political establishments. Ford, a 5-term Congressman, business executive, and centrist Democrat, had considered running for Senate in New York. His no-nonsense, independent thinking was heralded by many and certainly gave us all a lot to think and talk about.
In early 2010, Ford wrote that " New Yorkers expect a politics where politicians do what's right based on independent judgment, free of political bosses trying to dictate. And New Yorkers want an honest and serious debate about how to grow our economy, create new jobs downstate and upstate and keep New York state and our country safe."
Congressman Ford has remained active in civic life in New York, and his book, Davids and Goliaths, hits bookshelves later this summer.
Join us as Congressman Ford gives us his take on the current state of NY and national politics, 2010, and much more....
See you next Tuesday night!
Free for Annual Member; $7 non-members
Harold Ford's March 1 Op-Ed: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/opinion/02ford2.html
To learn more about Congressman Ford's new book, due out in September, click here: http://www.amazon.com/More-Davids-Than-Goliaths-ebook/dp/B0036S4EZU/ref=...
To learn more about DL21C, visit: http://www.dl21c.org
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About Harold Ford, Jr:
Harold Ford Jr. has long distinguished himself as a charismatic, results-oriented politician with fresh ideas. His career began at age 26 after he won his father’s Congressional seat, serving his Tennessee district for ten years.
He stepped into the national spotlight with his electric keynote at the 2000 Democratic National Convention, and in 2006 his reputation was further shaped during the closest Senate race in Tennessee’s history, which he lost. Ford feels passionately that our country’s best days are ahead, and in his new book, More Davids Than Goliaths, he presents his mission statement for America.
Harold Ford, Jr. is currently Executive Vice Chairman of Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He is responsible for business development, and helping manage and strengthen the bank’s existing relationships with companies and investors around the world.
He served 10 years in the United States Congress, where he served on the House Financial Services and Budget Committees. Described by President Bill Clinton as "the walking, living embodiment of where America ought to go in the 21st century," Ford also chairs the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) and is a distinguished practitioner in residence at the Wagner School of Public Service at NYU.
During Ford’s five terms in Congress, he was an active member of the House Blue Dog coalition, where he worked passionately to balance the budget and promote free enterprise.
Ford is active with several nonprofits and foundations. He serves as an overseer for the International Rescue Committee (IRC), is a member of the Pentagon's Transformation Advisory Group (TAG), is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and serves on the Board of America’s Promise. He is also a member of the Posse Board of Directors.
Ford is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a B.A. in American History, and a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School.
Ford lives in New York City with his wife Emily.