Ford to make Senate decision at end of month

In a folksy, no-notes speech, Harold Ford Jr. challenged about 100 people at Hempstead Town's annual African-American History Month event to live up to the standards set by those honored during the celebration.

"Take the momentum of this month, this message, to be not only better, but to live up to all the great people we celebrate in Black History Month," the former 10-year Democratic congressman from Memphis, Tenn., said to his mostly Republican audience.

Ford, 39, who moved to New York in 2007 when he joined Merrill Lynch in Manhattan, has been moving around the state, testing the waters for a possible run at the U.S. Senate seat now held by upstate Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand.

Initially, Ford had said he would make a decision within 45 days, which would have been Monday. But Tuesday, in a post-speech interview, he said he really meant to say by the end of February.

"I will discuss this with my wife over the weekend and then announce my decision," he said. "It will be 52 days."

Asked about President Barack Obama's top political adviser, David Plouffe, endorsing Gillibrand at a Manhattan fundraiser Monday, he responded: "That was no surprise. The president basically endorsed her three weeks ago. But this election will be decided in New York by New Yorkers."

It was a bit surprising that officials in Hempstead Town, , one of the nation's bastions of Republicanism, would even invite Ford, a leader of the Democratic centrist movement.

But town Supervisor Kate Murray introduced Ford saying he "has inspired the African-American community not only in Hempstead Town, but throughout the nation." She lauded him as "a true leader who has dedicated himself to public service."

Among those in the audience were ministers and mostly black community leaders, including County Legis. Robert Troiano (D-Westbury), who earlier this month hosted a meeting between Ford and Long Island minority leaders.

Ford left the town pavilion for a sit-down with State Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs, who has already endorsed Gillibrand.

Afterward, Jacobs described the meeting as "private," but said he was impressed by Ford. "I like him. He is a very engaging and talented person, who has a big future in the party."