Now that you’ve got our attention . . .
Harold Ford Jr., flirting with a potential bid to unseat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, got her full attention last night as the former Tennessee congressman led a prayer vigil for Haitian earthquake victims outside the Haitian Consulate on Madison Avenue in Midtown.
But it may be the last time he’ll command Gillibrand’s silent attention.
Earlier yesterday, Ford threw down the gauntlet to both Gillibrand and Sen. Chuck Schumer over health-care reform — saying they should vote against the measure unless it’s revamped to help New York.
In the letters, Ford put himself squarely alongside Mayor Bloomberg and Gov. Paterson, who have blasted the Senate version of the health-care overhaul as a poisonous bill that would cost New York state as much as $1 billion.
“I’m asking both of you to make a public commitment to vote against any health-care legislation that imposes increased financial burdens on New Yorkers,” Ford wrote.
He cited Bloomberg’s and Paterson’s objections and the fact that several other states got huge bumps in their Medicaid funding.
“I served in Congress and am aware how political pressure can mount to vote for legislation,” wrote Ford, a Tennessee transplant who served in the House for 10 years from his home state.
“I call on both of you to show courage and independence and withhold a yes vote on health care until the interests of New York families are satisfied.”
The letters prompted an unusual rebuke from Gillibrand, slamming Ford for his voting record.
“If Harold Ford wants to move from Tennessee and run in New York, he is welcome to do so and I welcome an honest comparison of our records and our work for New York,” she said, adding the bill isn’t “perfect” but she’s working on it.
“I will take a back seat to no one when it comes to fighting for New York.”
Meanwhile, the Rev. Al Sharpton said he was fine with a possible Ford run against Gillibrand, noting people tried to push him out of various campaigns, including mayors and presidents.