Since he announced his interest in running against Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, former Tennessee lawmaker and New York newcomer Harold Ford was having a hard time making friends in this "city of transients." But that's come to an end now that he's buddied up with Brooklyn political boss and power broker Assemblyman Vito Lopez (D-Bushwick), whose influence might help Ford avoid the lengthy and costly process of petitioning to get his name on the primary ballot. According to the Observer, after lunching with the Lopez twice at Cono and Sons in Williamsburg, the Party Boss was willing to offer a "personal endorsement" of Ford, while the likely Senate candidate said this of his new friendship with the Lopez: "It's amazing that it's been a week. I feel like it's been about two years, three years since we've known each other." Recent polls show Gillibrand leading Ford 44 percent to 27 percent, however 25 percent of voters are still undecided.