Harold Ford Jr., the quasi-candidate for U.S. Senate, has spun his changed position on gay marriage as the product of healthy, open-minded evolution, and he continues to try to explain that his definition of the words “I’m pro-life” is different from the commonly-understood meaning. Flexibility and growth on issues are indeed good things. Yet Ford’s elasticity also seems to extend to his sense of time. Back on January 18, Ford said he’d make up his mind about challenging incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand within 30 days. The next day he began a monthlong leave from his job at Bank of America to travel the state from Butter to Buffalo weighing the possible campaign. Two days ago, in the midst of complaining that Gillibrand was engaging in actual politics to try to kill off Ford’s maybe-bid, the former Tennessee congressman told the Times he’d announce his plans within 30 days — pushing D-Day from next week into March. Has Ford set any real deadline for ending the unbearable suspense? “As he considers whether to run for the opportunity to serve New Yorkers in the U.S. Senate, Harold Ford Jr. is thoughtfully taking the time to listen to New Yorkers talk about cutting taxes, creating jobs, and fighting terrorism,” says a Ford spokeswoman. Hey, why rush when the state is in such great shape?
