Harold Ford Takes Listening Tour Through New York City

"I'm getting some encouragement from people across this state, and mainly across this city, who thinks that there could be a stronger, more independent voice in the U.S. Senate," he said Friday.

Ford met with Manhattan Democratic Chairman Keith Wright in Harlem and Bronx State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson in Wakefield, Bronx. Neither official told Ford to stay out of the race either, unlike others higher in power.

"I'm just happy that he took the time and gave me the respect as one of the leaders here in the Bronx," said Hassell-Thompson.

Ford is expected to participate in more photo-ops and an upcoming upstate swing, and will probably typecast Senator Kirsten Gillibrand as a virtual political puppet of Washington power-brokers.

"I didn't take orders when I was in Congress other than the people in Memphis who elected me, and if I run here in New York and I'm blessed to win, I wouldn't take orders other than from the people in New York," said Ford.