Clint Brewer argues that Harold Ford, Jr. may have no choice but to enter the 2010 Gubernatorial race if he wants to keep his political career alive:

Running against Corker again is a poor choice, particularly since Corker continues to quietly impress the state’s Democratic leaders with his willingness to listen and his independence from the national Republican Party and President George W. Bush.

Waiting out Sen. Lamar Alexander’s final term in office would mean that Ford would have to sit on the shelf until 2014. If a White House cabinet job is the interim position, that is politically acceptable. If that is not an option, then sitting out an entire Senate term becomes a much harder choice.

Ford’s best immediate bet to return to public office and the national stage is likely the 2010 governor’s race. Perhaps guilty of wishful thinking, Ford’s lieutenants from the 2006 race appear to be talking the idea up quite a bit. Because of his political skills, national fundraising reach and name recognition, Ford is easily the Tennessee Democratic Party’s best candidate for any statewide office.