Rudy Giuliani turned down the opportunity to run for the United States Senate seat in the state of New York that was previously held by Hillary Clinton. I guess he just did not want it enough. It was recently reported that Rep. Peter King is considering a run since Giuliani bowed out.
But today I learned of another possibility.
Harold Ford from Tennessee is also considering a run for the seat as a Dem.
Posted by: Stormy | January 08, 2010 at 07:50 PM
You are right, Stormy. I seem to recall he is somewhat of a conservative black Democrat, from Tennessee, and is now living in New York. I don't know what kind of political base he would have there.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | January 08, 2010 at 07:52 PM
Joe,
He is a Democrat. He could have a huge base. In any event Ms. Gillibrand's chances don't look too good to return to Washington, sort of like the appointed Senator from Illinois.
Posted by: Stormy | January 08, 2010 at 10:15 PM
Stormy, when I spoke of his lacking a base, I mentioned this from the standpoint of his prospects for defeating Gillibrand in the Democratic primary. It may be difficult for Ford to do that having never run for office in New York before-- and with Schumer behind Gillibrand.
But I think she is beatable in the general election if a strong Republican candidate materializes who is well-financed.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | January 08, 2010 at 10:26 PM
only 49 states take Giuliani seriously. New York is not one of those. He rode the 9-11 pony until the wheels came off. He's down to making sparks and a grinding noise.
Posted by: Beelzebubba | January 09, 2010 at 09:39 AM
Beelzebubba, I think he was a very good mayor overall. In a state like New York, it is difficult for a candidate who takes some very conservative positions to win citywide or statewide. But he sparked an amazing transformation in NYC, and it was a gift to the entire nation.
He was being urged to run for governor. The problem is that Andrew Cuomo likely is going to challenge the incumbent governor, Patterson, in the Democratic primary-- and Cuomo will probably win handily. Giuliani probably knows Cuomo would be a formidable opponent, and would be difficult to beat with the overwhelming Democratic demographics in New York state. I think he would have had a very good chance to beat Gillibrand in the Senate race, and was polling ahead of her; but I doubt the prospect of being a Senator appealed to him-- especially when he has been so successful with his private business interests.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | January 09, 2010 at 11:01 AM