Okay, I got a few questions about this “Fancy Ford” business. Thought I’d clear it up right away for anyone that doesn’t know much about Harold Ford, Jr. Bottom line is the guy is keen on dressing fancy, living lavishly, and being well-groomed.
CHARMED LIFE
Ford Attended A Private “Blue-Chip” Prep School In Washington, D.C., Before Attending Ivy League University Of Pennsylvania And University of Michigan Law School. “He led the charmed life of a congressman’s son in Washington, attending the blue-chip St. Albans prep school (where Al Gore Jr. also went). He had an Ivy League education, majoring in American history at the University of Pennsylvania, and went on to the University of Michigan School of Law with his father’s congressional seat waiting for him upon graduation. By any measure, life has dealt Harold Ford Jr. a very sweet hand.” (Roger Abramson, “Prince Harold,” Nashville Scene, 3/18/04)
MAKING HIS TOOTSIES FANCY
“Debonair” Ford Is A “Regular” At The Upscale D.C. Toka Salon, Where “He Always Gets Pedicures.” “[W]ith all the running around that lawmakers do, you can bet plenty of the 535 have icky feet. But at least one among them takes special care to keep his feet smooth, clean and pretty. That man, ladies and gentlemen, is Rep. Harold Ford Jr., the single, debonair 34-year-old Democratic legend from Tennessee. . . . The salon is in Ford’s neighborhood, near the National Archives. Our spy says Ford was relaxing in his pedicure chair, alternately working his BlackBerry and cell phone as the pedicurist scraped dead skin off his feet. Toka owner Teresa Yurt tells HOH that Ford is a ‘regular’ in the salon. ‘He always gets pedicures,’ she says.” (Mary Ann Akers, “Gettin’ Jiggy With It,” Roll Call, 11/22/04)
DRESSING FANCY USING HIS CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT
In 2000, The Center For Public Integrity Highlighted Ford As “One Of The Most Vivid Examples” Of Congressional Campaign “Spending Sprees.” “Ford, who has held starring roles on the national stage from time to time, also was held up by the Washington-based Center for Public Integrity during his 2000 campaign as one of the most vivid examples of how members of Congress sometimes go on spending sprees even when they face no opposition.” (Editorial, “A Little Help For A Friend,” The Commercial Appeal, 9/8/05)
• “Among The Purchases From His Campaign Chest That Year: Nearly $20,000 To Pay Bills To The Biltmore Hotel In Los Angeles And $2,549 For An Armani Suit.” (Editorial, “A Little Help For A Friend,” The Commercial Appeal, 9/8/05)
FINE DINING (AGAIN USING HIS CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT)
Ford’s Expensive Tastes When He Was A Congressman And In The Nation’s Capital Included The Capital Grille, The Caucus Room, The Palm And Convicted Felon Jack Abramoff’s Defunct Washington, D.C. Eatery, Signatures. (Federal Election Commission Website)
ONLY THE FINEST HOTELS WILL DO (AGAIN USING HIS CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT)
Ford Stays At Only The Most Luxurious Hotels When Traveling, Spending Thousands Upon Thousands Of Dollars At Such Destinations As The Fischer Island Club Off The Coast Of Florida, The St. Regis Club At The Essex House In New York, The Four Seasons In Los Angeles, The Periwinkle In Nantucket, And The Ponte Verde Club & Hotel In Florida. (Federal Election Commission Website)
FANCY PARTIES
In 2004, Ford Hosted A Party At The Roxy Attended By P. Diddy’s Manservant Farnsworth Bentley, Doug E. Fresh, And The Apprentice’s Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth. Sage Of Rap: “P. Diddy’s dapper manservant Farnsworth Bentley doesn’t just hold umbrellas over his boss’ head anymore. Bentley joined Wyclef Jean (left), Andre 3000, Russell Simmons and Reverend Run at the Boston Hip-Hop Summit Monday, where he advised aspiring rappers on breaking into the game. ‘You don’t just walk up and hand Russell Simmons or Sean Combs your CD. Find the executive you should be giving your CD to. You gotta be creative to get into this industry.’ Yesterday morning, we spotted Bentley again at Tennessee Rep. Harold Ford’s party at the Roxy, where he was on stage with Doug E. Fresh pumping up a crowd that included Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth from ‘The Apprentice’ and Fox News Channel anchor Shepard Smith.” (The [New York] Daily News, 7/28/04)
Justin Timberlake Agreed To Host “A Happening” For Ford In Conjunction With The 2004 Democrat Convention. “The Democratic Convention later this month in Boston. Guess who’s giving a party? Guess. Just guess. Give up? That bastion of political know-how, that international savant, that well-known Democratic think-tank Justin Timberlake. I’ll repeat that because nobody’s going to believe this. Justin Timberlake. He comes from Tennessee. He will thus host a happening for the Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford Jr. At least that’s what I think the guy’s name is - and if it isn’t, so what.” (Cindy Adams, “Try To Remember Their Names,” The New York Post, 7/15/04)
Calling It “Also Hot,” Roll Call Reported Ford Was “Getting Down With Three Ladies” (Two Brunettes And His Mother) At His Rock The Vote Party At Boston Club Avalon During The 2004 Democrat Convention. “Rep.Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) was giving it up for the ladies at his hip-hop heavy Rock the Vote party Monday night at Boston’s Avalon dance club. Ford was seen on a packed and pumping dance floor getting down with three ladies at once - two brunettes ... and his mother, who was easily one of the best and most agile dancers in a club full of twentysomethings.” (Mary Ann Akers, “Heard In The Hub,” Roll Call, 7/28/04)
Ford Attended The Playboy Super Bowl Party In Florida. “Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) was spotted at the Playboy Super Bowl party in Jacksonville, Fla., after the New England Patriots’ big win Sunday night. . . . One Web site selling tickets to the event claimed: ‘The Playboy Superbowl Party has become famous for being packed with celebrities and Playmates alike . . . Oh, and it is also packed with Playmates in lingerie and body paint.’” (Mary Ann Akers, “Heard On The Hill,” Roll Call, 2/8/05)
Ford Campaigned With Sex And The City Star Sarah Jessica Parker In New York, Spending At Least $1,100 At Crobar And Another $15,000 At The Palace Hotel. (Federal Election Commission Website)
• “Ford Has Received What Should Qualify As The Glitziest Endorsement Yet – Actress Sarah Jessica Parker, Star Of The Erstwhile HBO Series ‘Sex And The City.’ Parker, whose character Carrie Bradshaw carried on with Mr. Big and other lovers in the steamy TV show set in Manhattan, hosted a $1,000-a-plate dinner Thursday for the Memphis congressman in New York City.” (Scott Barker, “Candidates Bank On Bigwigs,” Knoxville News-Sentinel, 3/25/06)
• The Memphis Flyer Originally Reported “Sex And The City” Star Sarah Jessica Parker Would Co-Host A Fundraiser For Ford In New York City March 23, 2006. “Looks like Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker has a crush on a new man: Harold Ford, Jr. Parker will co-host a March 23rd New York fund-raiser for Ford. For $1,000, you get dinner at the Palace Hotel with Ford and 50 other swells. For $300 you can hang at a VIP open bar party at Crobar with Ford and SJP. For $100 you can party at Crobar and see Harold and Jessica onstage for 20 minutes. And, proving that there’s something for every budget, you can get a late-night dessert and policy discussion for $250. Finally, if you love a bargain, you can get the whole magical evening for $1,250.” (“Sex And The Single Candidate,” The Memphis Flyer, 3/20/06)
In February 2006, Ford Held A Snazzy “Elite” Fundraiser In Houston, Texas, With Representative Sheila Jackson Lee And DJ Biz Markie, A Prelude To NBA All-Star Weekend. “It’s NBA All-Star Weekend and whether you’re making the trip to Houston or not, this is a weekend for fun. . . . If you are heading down to Houston this weekend, take the time to support my good friend, Congressman Harold Ford Jr., in his run for U.S. Senate. Tonight, he will be at the Whiskey Bar in Hotel Icon . . . donors will enjoy an elite cocktail reception and mingle with political all-stars . . . . Sheila Jackson Lee, U.S. Congressman Al Green and Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis. DJ Biz Markie will make sure everyone is having a good time. $100 makes you a Platinum Donor and gives you access to this exclusive event. $1,000-4,200 makes you an Elite Donor and gives you VIP access.” (Kenny Johnson, “Steppin’ Out,” Chicago Defender, 2/17/06)
I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.
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