HAROLD FORD JR. THINKING OF SENATE RUN: Former Congressman reportedly considering facing Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for New York seat.

       Ford, who moved to New York three years ago and currently works for Merrill Lynch, has been encouraged to run by a number of top Democratic donors, including financier Steven Rattner, who, along with his wife, Maureen White, has been among the country’s most prolific Democratic fund-raisers.       

       "He has extraordinary drive and intelligence and will excel at anything that he chooses to do," Rattner told the Times, which suggested that New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is also open to backing a Ford run       

       The New York Times reports that Ford, 39, will make his decision in the next 45 days.