Confirmed: Kirsten Gillibrand Chosen to Fill Clinton's Senate Seat

[clear eye]

Source: WPIX News

PIX11 News has learned Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand is the choice of Governor David Paterson to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton. Two Congressional sources tell PIX News that the Governor will make his announcement in Albany at noon tomorrow. He has invited members of the state's Democratic Congressional delegation to join him.


The sources told reporter Marvin Scott that the Governor has called members of the delegation for their views after Caroline Kennedy withdrew herself from consideration. One of the contenders, longterm Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney canceled a scheduled appearance on "PIX News Closeup" Friday because of a "conflict," which she did not disclose. She too will be in Albany. According to the sources, Gillibrand, now in her second congressional term, was favored by both Senator Churck Schumer and Secretary of State Clinton. Paterson has been under pressure to select a woman.

With most Democratic leaders in Albany coming from the New York City area, one source said this would be an important move for the Governor to have a Senator from upstate. And it is felt Gillibrand would be an asset to Paterson in any bid for election in 2010

Read more: http://www.wpix.com/landing/?Confirmed-Kirsten-Gillibrand-Chosen-to-F=1&blockID=193155&feedID=1404

---

Gillibrand is strongly pro-NRA. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy says she will challenge her in the 2010 primary, unless another, younger gun control advocate steps up to do so.

[LSparkle]

1. OMFG ... just watching Hardnards and she sounds like a nightmare

A blue dog sitting in Hillary's seat? Paterson can kiss his
governorship goodbye -- NYers aren't going to stand for this.

[alsame]

5. No, we won't. I am not happy.

[TheWraith]

31. Yeah, we will. You think Hillary was more progressive?

Gillibrand is going to be a good Senator. Read up on her at OnTheIssues. She's very lefty.

[alsame]

40. I checked her out at OnThe Issues and she does seem better

than I thought on many issues. But what's with the Blue Dog label, is that just because of her NRA positions?

[TheWraith]

42. It's because she's a member of the Blue Dog caucus.

Yes, probably mostly because of being against gun control and immigration. Both understandable given the character of her district: rural/hunting friendly, and heavily farm-labor based.

[RoccoR5955]

15. If you understood her district, you would know...

...that she was the only Dem who could have won that district. She's not too bad on many issues, but there are many that I disagree with her on. Hopefully, because she is young, she can be swayed by more experienced members of the Senate.

Her district is SO conservative, it's not funny. A good portion of her district is Dutchess County, which has been conservative for eons. Even though FDR's home is in Dutchess County, his own home county never voted for him in any of his 4 terms!

We are lucky to have ANY dog Democrat, let alone a blue dog Democrat in that seat. One can only wonder who the replacement will be.

[Ken Burch]

17. You've made a case for leaving her in that district, not for her appointment

Is there ANY good reason to have picked her over Maloney? Clearly, Maloney would win the seat in a walk.

[djg21]

115. Yes.

Why do we need or wantanother Senator from Downstate? We already have Schumer!

I live in the 20th CD and like Gillibrand. She will be a good senator. I initially was concerned about losing to 20th CD ro the Republicans. However, New York is to be redistrict in2010 and is expected to lose a Congressional seat, With Democrats in remain control of both the state Assembly and Senate through the 2010 elections, any seat lost in redistricting would be Republican. Word is that the 20th is the district that is going to be lost and divided up amongst the surrounding districts.

[LSparkle]

19. That's only the first problem -- how to hold that House seat ...

Will NYers re-elect such a blue dog STATEWIDE? I don't
think so ... And what does this do for Paterson? NOTHING.
He's never run for governor in his own right and now he's
going to have to run for re-election after pissing off the
liberals in the state. Is he back on coke or smoking
something???? Makes no sense whatsoever, from any per-
spective.

[NeoConsSuck]

22. I know the district well

I wonder if she'll be more left leaning now that she represents the entire state (including NYC), and not just that overwhelming republican district?

The only way she got elected in that district was because of sleazy Sweeny.

[NashVegas]

46. Gerald Solomon Owned That District For Decades

And he was a flag-waving Ronald Reagan before Ronnie was.


Here's another thing DUers would get an earful of: talk to an agriculture activist in that area and you'll hear how livid they are about Dems making it impossible for small, independent farmers to do business.

[LibertyLover]

92. I wondered where her district was

and now I understand where some of her stands on things come from. Putnam and Dutchess are two of the more conservative downstate counties in all of New York state. Friends of mine lived in Putnam for years and I got to know it and Dutchess well.

[RoccoR5955]

124. Her district is NOT Putnam and Dutchess, that is the 19th, she is the 20th...

...which is Northern Dutchess, in the South, up to Lake Placid, and west to almost Oneonta. Here's a map: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd?state=NY&district=20

Another Democrat, John Hall is in the 19th. He's a bit more Liberal than Gillibrand is.

[rangersmith82]

52. This is exactly who we need in the Senate

This is a excellent choice and she supports the rights of gun owners!!!!

Very niccceee!!!!!

[jzodda]

61. Idiotic choice, goodbye Paterson-lost my vote

We now will lose that house seat in 2010 and have basically a moderate Repuker as our Senator.

Great

Just fucking great.....

[defendandprotect]

66. I miss Spitzer . . . and I'm in NJ -- !!!

So we went from DLC-HRC to Blue Dog -- !!! Eek!!

[customerserviceguy]

122. She got a 100% rating from the ACLU

check it out:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/23/clinton.replacement/index.html

Yeah, she supports people who hunt and sport shoot. And she cares about the jobs stolen from poorer Americans by border jumpers who commit identity theft.

Other than that, what's the objection?

[defendandprotect]

129. Not sure about that . . .!!????

She also has a 100 percent rating from the American Civil Liberties Union.

This is CNN telling you this --

is it on ONE issue . . . or overall.

I think we have to check in with ACLU to find out ---

[customerserviceguy]

142. Good point

Did a little more research, and I found the ACLU's own page on her:

http://action.aclu.org/site/VoteCenter?congress=110&repId=28123&session_num=0&page=legScore

Voted yes on FISA, but that is still a 90% rating. It got a lot of Democratic support, including yes votes from Pelosi, my current rep Engel (and I only live a half hour out of NYC, hardly 'upstate'), and my former rep in WA - Baird. All in all, 105 votes from Democratic Congresspersons.

[defendandprotect]

143. Interesting -- and I'd also give her a 90% on the THOSE issues .. . and ...

I'm a flaming liberal -- !!!

But I didn't see anything there re gun support -- or some other right wing

issues she may be protecting????


Pelosi is DLC . . . that's working for right-wing-corporate interests in Dem Party!

[customerserviceguy]

147. I think Gillebrand's 2nd Amendment support

has not been on votes, but on the stump. Frankly, Congress has left guns off the agenda while waiting for the Heller decision, and since that's out, there's no reason to revisit the issue. It takes thirteen states to kill a constitutional amendment, anybody out there who thinks that they can find thirty-eight states that are willing to re-write the Second Amendment is just flat out dreaming. It would never make it through Congress in the first place.

So, with that issue off the table, what else is there to be upset with Gillebrand over? Seems to me that her biggest handicap is that nobody's heard of her before last Friday.

[defendandprotect]

148. We don't need to rewrite the second amendment. . .. we need to acknowledge . .

the opening phrase.

AND, we need to regulate guns and gun ownership to a higher degree.

[rangersmith82]

141. So does his girlfriend...

Man if you gonna fool around, don't get caught...

This guy had a great job, a pretty wife and he threw it all away over some chicky snack...

[defendandprotect]

144. Let's look at it another way . .

NY had a Governor who seemed to be working for justice --

especially two years ago begin to get other Govs together to

stop the Mortgage meltdown and other problems -- and BUSH ORDERED IT STOPPED!

Now, you can continue to look at it the "Clinton lied/he got a blow job way"

OR you can look at what NY voters probably lost --- !!!

Yes, Clinton got a blowjob and lied . . . but Bush stole the White House twice . . .

bankrupted the Treasury/blew the surplus -- and screwed the peace with two wars.

And, I'm not sure that ANYONE is going to recover from that damage --- either the

bombed out Iraqis, the Afghanistanis -- GAZA -- or America -- ????!!!!

[leftynyc]

96. She'll be primaried by either

Maloney or Cuomo (if he doesn't shoot for Governor). I don't think she'll be the Dem candidate.

[Wabbajack_]

82. this won't be an issue in his race for Governor

But it's bad, GOP will take her house seat.

[FLAprogressive]

2. Blue Dog FISA enabler......

she's right on RKBA but she's not right on much else.....

[KoKo]

50. We need someone who will challenge Chuck Schumer. Or maybe we Progressives work to

TAKE HIM OUT!

[defendandprotect]

68. Another Schumer Pick . . . Remember Mukasey . . . !!!

Agree --- Schumer needs to go --

[Zhade]

127. Uh, our own prez is a FISA enabler.

Remember?

[SoCalNative]

3. I wish someone would really get the goods on the NRA

and wipe them off the face of the planet.

[alarimer]

8. I do too.

I hate those people. I am in favor of gun control, though. There are certain kinds of weapons or ammunition that no one should be allowed to possess. I am also in favor of closing the gun show loophole (as in no more gun shows. at all). Plus waiting periods and background checks. Either that or licensing.

[lanlady]

23. me too

They've ensured that we can't have a civil dialogue in this country about preventing gun violence.

[defendandprotect]

69. Michael Moore has explained something of the takeover of the NRA . . .

previously something quite different ---

[bottomtheweaver]

4. Schumer and Clinton's pick?

Hmmm. I had a feeling this was what was happening.

[aquart]

7. Not bloody likely.

[Ken Burch]

10. Whose, then? Patterson would never pick a gun nut on his own.

He'd have nothing to gain from it.

[BlueManDude]

16. Patterson strikes me as a dumbbell.

[customerserviceguy]

123. Gun nut

Now there's a way to make sure we get booted out of office in all but the bluest of the blue areas. Call people who hunt, sport shoot, and just want some home protection "gun nuts".

Besides, Heller settled all of this, it's not an issue anymore.

[SOS]

133. The very close political ties between Gillibrand and Clinton,

including Gillibrand's "fierce loyalty" to Clinton make it quite likely.

We are witnessing a political legerdemain. While our eyes were on Paterson, Clinton picked her successor.

[Ken Burch]

9. What were Schumer and Clinton thinking?

You don't HAVE to be a gun nut to win a statewide race in New York. And it's not as though HRC would be hurt in a later presidential run if her seat was filled by a progressive.

If Maloney doesn't run in 2010, I hope Bobby Jr. gets in. This would never have happened if he hadn't withdrawn from consideration.

[THUNDER HANDS]

26. I have a feeling

that Schumer and Clinton's pick was Steve Israel.

[ErinBerin84]

29. wasn't there a lot of reporting

that Clinton wanted it to be a woman? Don't know if that's true, but that was the reporting.

[leftynyc]

97. No way - they wanted Cuomo (n/t)

[SOS]

120. Doubtful

"Rep. Gillibrand was fiercely loyal to Sen. Clinton when she ran for President."

http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2009/01/gillibrand_shoring_up_the_left.html

[KamaAina]

6. Also a Blue Dog

pro-gun and a Blue Dog. And from upstate: good for diverse representation, but for retaining the seat in a special election, not so much.

[Doctor_J]

13. The city folk will give her the boot in the 2010 primary

which is right around the corner

[TheWraith]

43. Don't count on it.

Gillibrand went from winning by 6 points in 2006 to winning by 40 points in 2008 after having $6 million dollars spent against her. She's tough.

Read her "On The Issues" page.

http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Kirsten_Gillibrand.htm

[leftynyc]

98. But that's in a very conservative district

which is why they should keep her where she is. She lose the primary.

[derby378]

112. This is assuming that McCarthy can mount a suitable primary challenge

I think a lot of upstate New Yorkers are getting weary of the Big Apple dominating what sort of policy governs the entire state. Folks in the five boroughs may not want their neighbor legally owning an AK, but that doesn't mean folks in Niagara Falls feel the same way.

Gillibrand needs some schooling on FISA, true, but she supports GLBT issues, including the right to marry.

[Le Taz Hot]

131. Actually, she only supports civil unions

which is unacceptable.

[No Elephants]

146. According to the Daily News, the head of Empire State Pride Agenda, NY state's

largest gay rights group, says that Gillibrand supports gay marriage now, as well as full repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act as well as the Don't Ask Don't Tell military policy.

"After talking to Kirsten Gillibrand, I am very happy to say that New York is poised to have its first U.S. Senator who supports marriage equality for same-sex couples," Van Capelle said.


http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/politics/2009/01/23/hillary-clintons-senate-replacement-draws-fire-from-liberals.html

According the the article, her posiiton on gay marriage has "evolved." If sincere, nothing at all wrong with being open-minded enough to become persuaded by the truth.

[No Elephants]

145. Upstate New Yorkers were probably always tired of being in the minority, just as

liberals in Tennessee are tired of being in the minority. What are the legitimate options, though? Change philosophies, move to another state or persuade more people to your views.

A minority is a minority, except in the federal electoral vote for President. Minorities should not expect over-representation.

[JFKfanforever]

106. She handled herself well during her speech this morning...

She will be OK.  It sound like she grew into the House job
rather qucikly. Kirsten is an astute and a fast learner and
relies on building bridges with colleagues for advice and
support.  You go girl!  Evolve into a powerhouse senator.

[FLAprogressive]

11. you anti-CKS people are getting EXACTLY what you deserve

[Ken Burch]

21. You're assuming the anti-CKS feeling was exclusively among liberals.

I think a lot of it(and, as an out-of-stater I can say, for whatever its worth, that I would've been fine with CKS as senator)
was the perception that she was acting out of a sense of entitlement, and that her experience didn't prepare her for the Senate.

[stillcool]

65. and the 'perception' was created..

for a variety of reasons, by people who had agendas. The whole drawn-out saga was a fiasco for everyone concerned.

[Junkdrawer]

33. I think the anti-CKS people are getting EXACTLY what they wanted. n/t

[BlueManDude]

12. So what - they'll lose the House seat now too? Patterson is a joke.

[FarLeftRage]

14. Piss poor choice...

I did not like her much, and I fail to see the long term strategy here.
Her Congressional seat will probably go repuKKKe now and if she decides to run for elction in two years, she is not going to make it...

WTF was Paterson thinking????

I live in Upstate New York, BTW...

[clear eye]

30. An unnamed source in the article speculated that Gov. Paterson

believes that you upstaters will give him props when he runs for Governor for choosing one of yours. He apparently believes he needs more help there than downstate.

[FarLeftRage]

56. Nope....

This just diminishes his standings further with us Upstate folks... IMHO.

[TheWraith]

62. Well, I don't know where you live, but I think this is good for him.

It shows that he recognizes that there's a state beyond the Catskills.

[FarLeftRage]

121. I don't live in the Catskills....

I live in that other group of mountains... The Adirondacks.

Yes, there certainly is a whole state beyond the Hudson Valley...

[eggplant]

18. I don't agree

She's my rep and she's done a pretty good job, especially considering our district is 60% republican. She understands how to represent her constituency. Don't expect her to necessarily keep the same priorities when she represents the entire state -- the makeup of her voters will be shifting.

I know I've been unhappy with some of her voting record, but she is a thoughtful person and an effective rep. It would be nice if NY-20 replaces her with another D, but I'm willing to make the sacrifice for the greater good.

[Ken Burch]

20. Then tell us...what would make her a better choice than Maloney?

What's so great about her that's worth telling the activist base of the party to "pound sand and peddle it walking", as a banned poster once put it. That's the only possible message choosing her sends, that I can see. What's the upside of picking this person?

[Alcibiades]

28. According to the article

It's because she's a she. Presumably she's willing to take the job, and withstand the media scrutiny. Those would be plusses. She has at least actually won an election or two in New York, also a plus.

Once she serves a statewide constituency rather than a conservative rural one, she might improve her voting record. Wouldn't be the first time.

I would have preferred RFK Jr., but that's life.

[Ken Burch]

39. Thanks for the response

n/t.

[Wabbajack_]

83. HEr voting record

The gold standard is the American Conservative Union. The LOWER!! the score from them the better. Hers for 2007 is 8% conservative which is excellent.

[Alcibiades]

116. Lots of folks here seem to fault it

Which sometimes means they cast a single vote they really care about wrong (I am still mad at my rep for the Wall St bailout, for example).

You're right about her ratings. Some more high- and low-lights:

Business-Industry Political Action Committee: 7%
National Taxpayers Union: F
National Tax Limitation Committee: 8%.
Business-Industry Political Action Committee: 7%
American Civil Liberties Union: 100
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 96%
Americans for Prosperity 0%
Traditional Values Coalition: 0
The Club for Growth: 2%
Family Research Council: 5%
GOPUSA 0%
AFL-CIO 96%
Americans for Democratic Action 95%
NOW: 100 percent.

[jmowreader]

118. Looks good to me...

Zero percent from the Traditional Values Coalition and GOPUSA? Sounds like my kind of lady!

[Wabbajack_]

130. Looks pretty damn good

2% Club for "growth" (of rich people's bank accounts)

96% AFL-CIO

I think she'll be just fine.

[xchrom]

25. as a poster said above -- that's a good reason to keep her

in her district.

[Ichingcarpenter]

35. 60% republican

nuff said.

[THUNDER HANDS]

24. oh wonderful

how wrong this is on so many levels.

Gillibrand is virtually unknown downstate. Yeah, it would have been nice to appoint a woman, but she's not up to the level needed to put her in that position.

I really hope this rumor is false. Carlyn McCarthy is my congresswoman, and she's not up to snuff either.

Peter King, who will run against whoever we nominate, could win against Gillibrand.

I could think of three Democrats who would have been better choices - Andrew Cuomo, Steve Israel and Patterson himself.

[xchrom]

27. what a lousy pick -- paterson, clinton, schumer

this was not a good plan for the future.

[Blasphemer]

37. I don't this pick was made with the future in mind

IMO, they decided to pick someone beatable in 2010 as opposed to someone who could handily defend the seat. Basically, it will be a free for all next year.

[xchrom]

38. that's for sure. nt

[TheWraith]

45. No, this is a pick intended to win in 2010 and 2012.

Anyone who thinks Gillibrand is going to be easy to kick out is mistaken.

http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Kirsten_Gillibrand.htm

[Jefferson23]

32. Disappointing choice, to say the least.

[Ichingcarpenter]

34. Bad Choice kennedy haters

You got the worse possible choice

[TheWraith]

49. She's definitely not the worst.

Caroline Kennedy was my first choice, but Gillibrand's not bad. Her On The Issues page is informative.

http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Kirsten_Gillibrand.htm

[Ichingcarpenter]

51. Looks better than what I first read

She's better than my Sen. Feinstien at least.
Thanks for the link

[TheWraith]

58. Glad to. A lot of people seize on the gun/Blue Dog thing at first...

But the reality is that she's a fairly liberal Dem who's also pro-gun, which isn't surprising given the nature of her district. And which frankly, isn't a bad thing in New York where hunting is huge across upstate. It also helps to know that her district is 60% Republican by registration, and she won the last election 70/30 after the Repub poured $6 million of his own money into the race. She's badass.

[Penance]

72. Not the best choice, but far better than Kennedy

Gillibrand has actually won tough elections and has a halfway decent voting record. Kennedy has never run for election, has never held public office and has no voting record whatsoever. If she had different parents, she would never have been considered. Now that she will have to defend her seat downstate, Gillibrand's record might improve (from a left-leaning perspective). She will have to defend the seat in less than 2 years. Here's hoping Gillibrand paid her taxes.

[closeupready]

78. You sum it up nicely - not great, but a good choice.

n/t

[Ediacara]

36. Just on Keith: ALL prospective appointees are going to Albany tomorrow

Not just Gillibrand, according to Gillibrand's PR person.

[brooklynite]

41. Killibrand's position on gun rights (from her website)

Protecting 2nd Amendment Rights

Like many natives of Upstate New York, grew up in a hunting family and own a gun. I learned at an early age how to safely handle a gun and I believe that every law-abiding citizen should always have the right to own arms.

The Second Amendment of the Constitution prohibits the federal government from denying law-abiding citizens the right to keep and bear arms. And I intend to uphold this right through my votes and actions in Congress.

In September of 2007, I introduced a resolution to make Hunting and Fishing Day - the 4th Saturday in September - a nationally recognized holiday. I have also cosponsored a resolution to recognize hunters for their continued commitment to safety.

In Congress I have also sponsored measures to protect and open up more federal land for conservation programs that will promote and allow hunters and fishermen to enjoy their passion for the outdoors.

However, I also believe that we must do more to enforce of current laws to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and persons with violent mental instability. Keeping our streets and communities safe is important to all of us, and lawbreakers need to know that they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law if they illegally seek to own or possess weapons.

That is why I supported the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Improvement Act (HR 2640) to provide incentives to states to update the Brady background check system to ensure that current laws are upheld as efficiently as possible. This was a common sense - bipartisan bill that was supported by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

I'm not a big fan of guns either, but can someone point out an objectionable position?

[JDPriestly]

47. Guns are OK with me as long as they are in rural America and shooting galleries.

Guns and horses, both great -- but we don't have horses in our backyards in L.A., so why should we have guns in our backyards. (Although I think there may have been a horse in my backyard near downtown L.A. because I found what looks like an authentic old hitching post in my yard. I could be wrong.)

Guns and horses -- belong only in prescribed places in the city. And, by the way, I would not want to live in a city without a leash law for dogs. Most dogs are OK, but without leash laws, life in the big city wouldn't be safe.

[KoKo]

53. One gun per home......does one need an arsenal of weapons?

[TheWraith]

55. Who said anything about an arsenal? nt

[benEzra]

101. More than one gun owner in each home, and different guns for different niches.

My wife and I both own guns. Each of us owns a handgun (Glock 26 for her, S&W 3913 Ladysmith for me) and an intermediate-caliber rifle (SKS for her, civilian AK for me). I also own two antique collectibles (one from 1905).

Like most gun owners, we don't hunt. A pair of hunters would probably own several more guns than we own---shotguns for birds, slug guns or rifles for deer. Possibly a bigger rifle for elk and whatnot. A .22 for small-game hunting. That still wouldn't make that small collection an "arsenal."

If we had more disposable income at the moment, we'd probably own more ourselves.

[JeanGrey]

64. Because of the 2nd amendment. It doesn't say "only in the

rural parts".

[Xenotime]

108. **sigh** the second amendment...blah blah blah..

That just needs to be rewritten. That could make this whole "gun" thing go away.

[DrCory]

117. Imagine how many things...

You hold dear could be made to "go away" if the BOR is rewritten by folks not of your choosing or liking.

[JDPriestly]

Rights are subject to regulation.

Even the First Amendment right to free speech is subject to time, place, manner restrictions.

Protesters are expected to get permits for parades and marches. Remember? And those permits are not automatically awarded. Some areas are off limits.

[benEzra]

126. You have to get a license to carry a firearm, too.

And those licenses are not automatically awarded. Some areas are off limits.

[JeanGrey]

63. Nothing objectionable there.

[Justitia]

85. She is against ANY restrictions, including against COP KILLER BULLETS - nice, huh? -eom

[benEzra]

102. Ummm, cop-killer bullets were ALREADY BANNED IN 1986...

and the ban was extended to cover the most popular centerfire rifle calibers by a BATFE administrative decision in 1994. NOBODY is trying to repeal that ban. It's Federal law, and even the NRA is OK with it.

Sounds like somebody in the gun-ban lobby is trying to smear her.

[slackmaster]

105. She's against banning something that's already been banned for over 20 years

Her position sounds pretty sensible to me.

[Pavulon]

135. Check out this cop killer gun..

"cowboy gun" 30-30 will punch a vest and kick up dirt afterward. Dont believe the hype. Gun control is for stupid people, hides the work required to fix bigger problems.

[smb]

134. Long Overdue

Look, people, if the Democrats had had the sense to cut loose the "gun control" albatross a decade ago, we'd be coming off eight years of President Al Gore rather than President Evil.

[liskddksil]

44. McCarthy vows to run against her in 2010.

Having emerged as a frontrunner for Hillary Clinton's former US Senate seat, Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand is coming under heavy fire from progressives who say she's too far right for their taste and gun control activists who don't like her record on firearms.

So far, no fewer than two of Gillibrand's fellow Democrats and a group of progressive advocates are threatening to primary the upstate congresswoman, who routinely touts her Blue Dog status, if she is elevated to the Senate by Gov. David Paterson.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, a staunch gun control advocate who was propelled into politics by the 1993 LIRR massacre in which her husband was killed, told City Room she is "very upset" by the idea that "a senator representing the NRA for New York" and would be willing to challenge Gillibrand if no one else does.

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/paterson.senate.pick.2.915497.html

[brooklynite]

48. As long as they keep the Primary civil...

a nasty intra-party spat that opens the door for the Republicans would be a real disaster.

[TheWraith]

54. If they were going to be civil, there wouldn't be a primary.

I sense a clusterfuck approaching.

[slackmaster]

114. It's gonna be GREAT!

:rofl:

[benEzra]

103. Lifelong REPUBLICAN Carolyn McCarthy...

Lifelong REPUBLICAN Carolyn McCarthy, you mean...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolyn_McCarthy

who only ran as a Dem to get herself into Congress and try to get Dems to pass her gun-ban proposals, didn't even bother to change her repub voter registration for years, and originally wanted to run on the repub ticket. McCarthy doesn't seem to give a crap if the Dems suffer another 1994 in 2010 over idiotic rifle bans; she just wants popular guns banned, and damn the repercussions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolyn_McCarthy

Compare her record to Gillibrand's:

http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Kirsten_Gillibrand.htm

I believe Gillibrand also has a 100% rating from the ACLU.

[w4rma]

57. Idiotic choice. She's going to get the primary challenge from hell. A Blue Dog can't represent that

entire state. It's going to be a free-for-all in two years and Dems will lose her district, also.

[stillcool]

67. That's not true..

I think New Yorker's for the most part get it, and don't vote by labels.

[w4rma]

70. You don't know what you're talking about. There are already people talking about challenging her. nt

[stillcool]

71. excuse me?

she's from upstate NY, and was elected as a Democrat there? Challengers? Is that something out of the ordinary? As far as New Yorkers, I was born and raised on Long Island, which was completely under Republican rule when I was growing up. Peter King?

[w4rma]

73. No they wouldn't challenge her for the seat she would be giving up.

They are challenging her in a state-wide race.

[stillcool]

75. and so?

wouldn't anyone that got the seat be challenged?

[w4rma]

87. No. Not credibly. (nt)

[Stephanie]

89. It's already on >

http://www.progressivenewyork.org/

[benEzra]

111. "There are already people talking about challenging her."

There are already people talking about challenging her

At least one of whom is a lifelong repub who used the Dem ticket as a flag of convenience to push a personal vendetta, understandable though that vendetta may be.

I think she is a good choice, on all levels, IMO.

[MasonJar]

59. I would not welcome another blue dog, but if she is blue dog only on

gun issues, then that is not too serious.

[TheWraith]

60. Well, gun issues and immigration.

But that's the main things. Otherwise she hasn't really done anything worse than a lot of other Dems have (she voted for telecom immunity).

[peanut]

74. Kirsten Gillibrand is WONDERFUL: Please do your fecking homework before you pass judgment

As a city liberal who moved to Kirsten's district and followed her throughout her campaign and her tenure, I can tell you she has more cajones, cred and smarts than any of you asshole knee jerk know-nothings who have wrecked this site. She has brought more transparency to her House tenure than any other Congressperson IN HISTORY. Her gun stance is pro-Brady, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?
She has done more for this district than the last 20 congresspeople before her. The only loss if she goes to the Senate is what a wonderful representative we will have lost, probably for a Republican to take the spot.
I hate what this site has become: a bunch of people who are ill-informed, sounding off about political matters they haven't really researched. The Anti-Hillary Crusades were the Real Death Knell here. The detritus that's left is reflected heavily in this thread.

[stillcool]

76. It comes and goes, no?

I mean the reactionary posts to labels, without any thought to who the human being is behind the label.

[ShortnFiery]

77. "YOU PEOPLE" ... she's a Blue Dog DLCer. She's less than "wonderful" to many here. eom

[stillcool]

80. and you know this how?

I'm sure you've thoroughly investigated what she's done, but maybe you can tell me how it is you know more than the New Yorker's?

[ShortnFiery]

90. Hey, I'm just "you people" so any further conversation with you is moot. eom

[eggplant]

81. Amen.

[RoccoR5955]

84. How true Peanut, how true.

I helped to get her elected in '06. I live in Hinchey's district, and he was running unopposed. I told him that I was going to work on other districts, and he suggested the neighboring districts. Since the 19th and 20th are close to me, I went, checked out candidates Gillibrand, and Hall on the issues, and found them acceptable.
I disagree with you that Dems cannot hold on to the seat, because with some work, I believe they can. Over the past twenty or so years, a lot of more progressive people have moved up from NYC. The area is changing from conservative to leaning progressive. A good example of this is the recent Democratic majority in the Dutchess County legislature. I have seen Democratic enrollment go up and up over the past twenty years, and it will continue to grow. Another example is the election of Ulster County's first county executive Mike Hein. This was accomplished with a large grass roots campaign.
I believe that with a decent Democratic candidate, and more hard work, Dems can keep the seat in Gillibrand's district. The key to winning this district, is the same as it was in the 2006 victory. We need someone who is not so far to the left that old time residents will not vote for him/her, but not so far to the right to prevent recent transplants from voting for her. I see some more hard work ahead in that district.

Now you may ask, how is as liberal a congressman as Hinchey been able to hold on to the 22nd? It's simple, he votes for WE THE PEOPLE each and every time, and he is ALWAYS meeting with constituents when he is not doing the People's business in DC.

[jkappy]

104. district becoming more progressive....

or something like that may be happening.. i live in her area's most rural county (with a heavy Repub. base and one in which Dems don't even identify themselves as such) and it gave her her greatest plurality in 2008 ??? Obama won here but only by a couple slivers.

as to all the hunting in the district... not like it once was. hunters just don't have time or inclination to get out there any more (or so it sure seems where i live)

[Justitia]

86. She's co-sponsor of the f'ing border fence bill for crissakes. Can't NY do better? -eom

[Sultana]

79. Who?

[totodeinhere]

88. I am disappointed that Patterson did not name a bona fide progressive to this seat. n/t

[Ken Burch]

139. If it had to be an upstate Dem, why couldn't it be John Hall?

It's not feminist to choose a woman simply because she is a woman. A more conservative woman in office isn't going to be better for women than a progressive man.

[faith_in_democracy]

91. this might be a good thing

With all of the democrats we have pushing abortion rights, gay marriage, and other controversial issues. I am glad some might recognize that you can’t advocate these things and take away an individuals gun rights, even assault weapons without being a Hypocrite.

People just want the government out of their hair if they aren’t infringing on anyone else’s rights.

I’m just learning about her but it sounds like she wants to respect everyone’s civil liberties, not just the ones convenient to her party.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

100. Are you sure you're at the right website?

Seriously, we have a search function here. :eyes:

[hedgehog]

93. First things first: is it "G"illibrand or "J" illibrand?

I get my news off the Net......

[jkappy]

107. it's (J) illebrand

[robcon]

94. Paterson chose her as an upstate vote-getter for the 2010 campaign.

Both he and Gillibrand will be running then, and I think he chose wisely - for Paterson, if not for the state or for the Senate.

[bdamomma]

95. I am not a NY'er

but she voted Yes on this issue: not good

Voted YES on retroactive immunity for telecoms' warrantless surveillance. (Jun 2008)

[Laelth]

99. Vomit. We don't need another Republican in the Senate. n/t

-Laelth

[benEzra]

113. Have you actually looked at her positions?

She is neither conservative, nor repub-leaning.

Being pro-choice on guns does not a conservative make.

[Laelth]

125. I did look, and I should probably edit my response.

She's not as conservative as I initially believed. She's not as liberal as I might like, either. The fact that she has gotten DLC support on this board, however, makes me suspicious.

Ultimately, though, she is better than a Republican, and I admit that my initial reaction was too harsh.

:dem:

-Laelth


Edit:Laelth--sloppy editing.

[goforit]

109. What a terrible pick. Cuomo would have been 1000 times better!!!

[goforit]

110. Well She won't be re-elected in two years. Niether will the Govenor.

[eilen]

119. I'm from upstate

and I think she is just fine. Even though Dutchess is downstate to me, I used to live there. That region is what brought us Pataki for 12 years, so I'm glad to see a Democrat from there (I'm impressed she was elected) and I admire her ability to tiptoe the margin. She is a gen xer, which is good and seems to learn fast and can communicate well. And it is true, the issue with so many reps from NYC and Long Island. We haven't had a representative in Washington acquainted with our issues for a very very very long time. Yah, Hil did a listening tour but not much came from that. The only one from my region that has made any noise has been Terry McAuliffe and that's a damn shame. (I love his mom, Millie-- she was a sweetheart).

Fact is Carolyn Kennedy, outside of her work on the Obama campaign, was a socialite with no experience. She may be a lovely person with a big heart and have many noble aspirations, but she was not active in politics in NY. She benefits from the collective baby boomer nostalgic love affair of the Kennedys and that is very nice since she has lost so many close to her and it is good she should have sentimental moral support but I don't think she has the charisma, toughness and moxie to deal with the rough and tumble of NY politics. She is untested. If she is truly interested in politics, why not run for mayor? State Senator? Congress? Why not an appointment as Ambassador to somewhere? Serve in the Health and Human Services or Education Dept?

Congresswoman McCarthy? -- the Long Island gun ban person, I just heard her on NPR and I can't believe she was voted into office. She plans to challenge Gillebrand in a primary and will lose. She does not know the difference between hunting and gun violence. I am sorry she lost her husband, that was a tragedy but she is a single issue idiot.

Cuomo--he is our Attorney General and we need him here to keep the screws on Wall St. I just don't think we need more uproar in NY State's government so soon. I like him and, he would be an interesting challenge in a primary against her if that is what he really wanted to do.

I think Paterson took a lot of time and the counsel of many who he respected. He is not one to go half-cocked and has a self-effacing manner. I think this was a very hard decision for him. Remember, he didn't ask for this and as our governor, he has rose to the occasion, most likely surprising himself.

[Ken Burch]

140. In hindsight, Caroline's hopes probably vanished once it became clear

that she'd have to campaign publicly and aggressively just to be appointed. It forced her to look grasping and desperate(which wasn't really fair to Ms. Kennedy)and it took some of the mystique away.

She probably assumed that Paterson would pick her right away, and it may never have occurred to her that the man would drag the process out.

[Endangered Specie]

128. I guess I'm one of the few who thinks shes a good pick

:shrug:

[slackmaster]

132. Cognitive Dissonance - We has it

Let me tell you why Carolyn McCarthy is wrong on this. She said:

"I don't think someone with a 100 percent NRA rating should be the next senator from New York," said Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, who ran for Congress after her husband was killed and son wounded in the 1993 Long Island Rail Road shooting massacre. "The majority of New Yorkers believe in trying to reduce gun violence."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jn3kCOceMPF7iuG4FzHbl_EgrQZgD95TE1N01

The implication being that someone who gets approval from the NRA does not believe in reducing gun violence.

That's flat-out wrong. Reducing gun violence, which I prefer to call criminal misuse of firearms, is clearly in the interests of gun owners, collecters like me, target shooters, and hunters. People who misuse firearms are not viewed by the NRA and other gun rights groups as potential customers, but as enemies whose actions threaten our rights.

I view McCarthy's statement as insulting. Reducing violent crime is in everyone's best interests, except violent criminals.

[robcon]

136. I agree, slackmaster

Reacting to an NRA approval rating smacks of knee-jerk thinking.

[Arugula Latte]

137. Bleah. What a fucking waste of a seat.

[Ken Burch]

138. Well, she now has an OBLIGATION to reach out aggressively to the progressive wing of the NY Dems

She owes them a lot of changes if she's to get renominated. An apology for joining the Blue Dogs would be a good start.