After trading barbs for several weeks, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and her potential Democratic primary challenger, Harold Ford Jr., each made their case at the annual meeting of the state's minority lawmakers.
Ford, a former congressman from Tennessee, was the keynote dinner speaker at the annual meeting of the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators. Gillibrand attended two days of the weekend meeting and also spoke Sunday.
Seated at the same table, Gillibrand approached Ford for a quick predinner handshake and a "welcome." Also at the table were Gov. David Paterson and state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, a potential Democratic rival in the governor's race this year.
Ford and Gillibrand both cast themselves as fighters for New York, with Ford asking the caucus to be open-minded.
He says he'll decide whether to run for the Senate in the next few weeks.
Gillibrand is seeking election to the seat to which she was appointed a year ago when Hillary Rodham Clinton became secretary of state.
