Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Colbert Mocks Ford, Gillibrand Mad He Called Her A "Parakeet"
By
Ben Muessig
Published Jan 26, 2010
Modified Jan 26, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Muessig
Published Jan 26, 2010
Modified Jan 26, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Sure, Harold Ford's having a hard time making friends in the Democratic Party, but who needs liberals when you've got buddies like Stephen Colbert. The Comedy Central host honored the former Tennessee lawmaker and Senate hopeful by dubbing him the "Alpha Dog of the Week" and praised him for his changing perspectives on same-sex marriage and abortion. "He believes that every American has the right to choose—when it is politically expedient to be pro life," said Colbert.
The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30cAlpha Dog of the Week - Harold Ford Jr.www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorEconomy
The 39-year-old Senate hopeful still hasn't officially declared his campaign, though he's launched an expansive—and occasionally disastrous—press tour, hobnobbed with a Brooklyn power broker, and taken time off of his Wall Street job to consider running against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. In recent days, he's upped his rhetoric against his possible rival, blasting her for lacking independence.
Today, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand fired back, responding specifically to Ford's declaration that she was just a "parakeet" who takes instructions from Democratic brass. "'Parakeet?'" she wrote on Twitter. "I wouldn't allow my 6 yr old to engage in this kind of namecalling. And HF thinks he should be Senator?"
Tagged
Colbert Report
comedy central
ford
gillibrand
harold ford jr.
kirsten gillibrand
parakeet
politicians
Politics
stephen colbert
Ben Muessig
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 11, 2026 at 1:49 p.m. ET
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
By
Mike Hayes
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .