AND STILL MORE DEFIANCE – AT 7:31 P.M. ET:  We have had some real gutsiness in the last 24 hours – Conan O'Brien, Scott Brown – and here's another example.

We have a real political drama underway in New York State.  Our junior senator, Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, appointed to fill out Hillary Clinton's term in the Senate, is up for election on her own.  The state is less than thrilled with her.  She is ripe for a primary challenge.  But the White House has been moving Heaven and Earth to block anyone from taking her on.

Enter Harold Ford Jr., who moved to New York three years ago.  Former congressman from Tennessee, scion of one of the few black political dynasties in America, head of the moderate Democratic Leadership Council, and a very determined guy.  He is defying Barack Obama, and seems intent on entering the Democratic Senate primary.  That could be a career-ending move if it doesn't work, a career-making move if it does.  Today, in a column in the New York Post, he throws down his challenge to the White House machine: 

It's true: I am strongly considering running for the United States Senate.

I do so because our best as a nation has always come when we test our ideas and ourselves, and when we trust competition to refine the steel of our convictions and the truth of our arguments.

Some have already questioned whether I should be running.

Others are falsifying my record in public life.

New Yorkers deserve a free election.

A free election?  In the People's Republic of New York?  This man is walking on land mines.

I know New York is unique. No other state is so engaged in the great issues facing our nation.

Defeating terror isn't a talking point in New York, it's a way of life.

Rebuilding an economy isn't an item on an issue checklist, it is what New York does -- and must do.

In my three years here, I've learned that New York does not go along to get along. New York does not follow. New York is where the nation learned to lead, build and grow.

In the spirit of the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who once held this Senate seat, I hope we all will welcome a debate about who's best to work for New York.

COMMENT:  Harold Ford Jr. has always been feisty, and is very ambitious.  He's heading into the meatgrinder, but this should be quite a show.  In a primary, I think he has a good shot at winning.  He's African-American, a terrific speaker, and gutsy.  But the establishment will do everything to bring him down because of his defiance.

Oh, by the way, notice that he identified the Senate seat as once held by Daniel Patrick Moynihan.  It was also Hillary's, but he didn't mention her.  Hmm.

January 12, 2010