Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

[NYdemocrat089]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/22/kirsten-gillibrand-new-yo_n_160195.html

What does everyone think?

(edited for spelling error)

[ShortnFiery]

1. Less than impressed.

:(

[rwheeler31]

2. I expected better out of NY.

[Captain_Nemo]

3. She was my top choice! I am so happy. Women have maintained their 17% representation in the senate

and she is tough, smart and will be able to hang on to the state in 2010. She is also pro-gay rights! She said this:

What I’d like to do legislatively, on the federal level—and I think we’ll be able to do this with the new president—is actually make civil unions legal in all 50 states, make it the law of the land. Because what you want to fundamentally do is protect the rights and privileges of committed couples, so that they can have Medicare benefits, visit in the hospitals, have adoption rights. All things that we give to married couples, committed gay couples should be eligible for. And then the question of whether you call it a marriage or not, what you label it, that can be left to the states to decide. so culturally oriented. My mom’s generation, they want their gay friends to have every right and privilege that they should be eligible for as a married couple, but they feel uncomfortable calling it marriage. To them, a marriage is a religious word that they learned from the Catholic Church: It’s a covenant between a man, a woman, and God. So they feel uncomfortable with the word. But they don’t feel uncomfortable with the rights and privileges. I think the way you win this issue is you focus on getting the rights and privileges protected throughout the entire country, and then you do the state-by-state advocacy for having the title."

[ShortnFiery]

5. As much as I would like to keep the percentage of women in the Senate stable, her Blue Dog

status TRUMPS her gender. :thumbsdown:

[Captain_Nemo]

7. She is pro-civil unions and believes in then going state to state to make the term "marriage" apply

It is essential that women have equal representation in our government. The US ranks 57 in the world as far as gender equity. Gender Equity is imperative for women and gays. Countries where women are represented equally in government show that woemn do better in those countries. They have child care and health care. Our male dominated government hurts women.
She said this:

What I’d like to do legislatively, on the federal level—and I think we’ll be able to do this with the new president—is actually make civil unions legal in all 50 states, make it the law of the land. Because what you want to fundamentally do is protect the rights and privileges of committed couples, so that they can have Medicare benefits, visit in the hospitals, have adoption rights. All things that we give to married couples, committed gay couples should be eligible for. And then the question of whether you call it a marriage or not, what you label it, that can be left to the states to decide. so culturally oriented. My mom’s generation, they want their gay friends to have every right and privilege that they should be eligible for as a married couple, but they feel uncomfortable calling it marriage. To them, a marriage is a religious word that they learned from the Catholic Church: It’s a covenant between a man, a woman, and God. So they feel uncomfortable with the word. But they don’t feel uncomfortable with the rights and privileges. I think the way you win this issue is you focus on getting the rights and privileges protected throughout the entire country, and then you do the state-by-state advocacy for having the title."

[hlthe2b]

21. She has the lowest GLBT ranking of the entire NY delegation 80%

So, I don't think that is a plus at all for her.

Yes, I want more women in the Senate, but not just ANY woman.

[Captain_Nemo]

26. "Not just any woman" I've heard that before. And the reply is: "If not her then who?"

I think its fair to come up with a female alternative to a female candidate or contender because we are severely underrepresented in the USA.

We are 51% of the population and

17% of the senate
17% of the House
20% o Governors
0% in Executive Branch

and we rank 57 in the world in terms of gender equity in government.

So, If not her, then who.

[whistler162]

45. Bea Gonzalez - Syracuse Common Council President...

But I think Gillibrand will do good even though she is the whine of the day on DU.

[hlthe2b]

49. I will give her a chance as well.

We'll see...

[hlthe2b]

48. Well, THIS woman points out that there were other qualified

women candidates: just from the current congressional delegation, alone: Slaughter, Louise McIntosh; New York, 28th; Maloney, Carolyn B.; New York, 14th; McCarthy, Carolyn; New York, 4th

Outside the current delegation, I'm sure there are more. Most of these were in "safe jurisdictions" where they would not likely end up replaced by a Republican. That is not the case, as I understand it, for Kirsten Gillibrand. As to how electable she will be in 2 years, 4 years, I can't say, but I will certainly hope for the best.

[ThatsMyBarack]

63. WOWEE! I'm sold!

:bounce: :woohoo: :patriot:

[mucifer]

8. have you seen her voting record? She votes 93% with the dems.

Pro gay rights, pro health care, pro environment, pro labor.


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

[Captain_Nemo]

9. She is excellent. We need her.

[rcrush]

11. Sounds good to me.

What else matters?

[mucifer]

14. The gun issue is not my most important issue.

Yes, I don't agree with her. But, there are so many more important issues. I don't see why Huffington Post didn't do more research! Pisses me off.

[ShortnFiery]

12. Yeah, so did Lieberman, but not on the MOST important issues - WAR and SURVEILLANCE.

That 7% can be all-important. :(

[mucifer]

16. read her voting record and decide for yourself.

[ShortnFiery]

19. She hasn't been tested. Like HRC when the GOP gets back in power, she'll fold like a cheap suit.

I have little to no use for Blue Dog/DLC democrats. I'll give to any progressive/liberal challenger.

[Captain_Nemo]

25. But, Obama voted for FISA....so you can't be too upset.

[ShortnFiery]

28. Why? ALL politicians must be kept abreast of "the people's will"

She's a Blue Dog DLC which equates to a Moderate Republican if you use the 1970s as a gauge.

It's really sad that our country has moved so far to the right that just because she's got a D after her name, she's the best. :(

No, we need a LIBERAL as a NY Senator. The reign of the Clintonian DLC and specifically - Schumer needs to cease. :thumbsdown:

[TheWraith]

32. Have you bothered to read her positions?

Or would you like to keep shouting "Blue Dog, Blue Dog!" like it's an answer to anything?

She's very liberal.

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

[hlthe2b]

22. Are we talking KG or Joe Lieberman....?

Sorry to be snarky, but for years, we heard the same thing about HIM! :eyes:

[ronnykmarshall]

85. WHY NOT 100%?????

Nazi slag!!

:sarcasm:

[TheWraith]

31. She's a Blue Dog in name only. Better lifetime progressive rating than some NYC reps.

Better than McCarthy, only a couple percent behind Maloney.

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

[Phx_Dem]

62. IMO, picking someone because of their gender is as bad as

not picking someone because of their gender. Gender and race should not matter. Period.

[saltpoint]

4. If this becomes official tomorrow at Paterson's announcement,

my feeling is let's get behind his choice and try to keep that seat as blue as we can for as long as we can.

[mucifer]

6. I'm curious about why Huffington Post focuses on one issue when her votes have

been pretty liberal.


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

[ShortnFiery]

15. Bullshit! Like the rest of the Blue Dogs, when the GOP gets all WAR-LIKE, they stand in line.

:thumbsdown:

[TheWraith]

33. She voted for the bill to pull out of Iraq starting in 90 days, back in 2007. nt

[Seen the light]

69. Bad choice, but better than Caroline

In a different way of course.

[Historic NY]

10. "furget ta bout it"

[Muttocracy]

13. Kirsten. Here's her House website:

http://www.gillibrand.house.gov/

Not sure what I think yet, except that if she's as strong a campaigner and fundraiser as her track record indicates, that was the argument people kept making for Kennedy. I know some specific efforts Gillibrand has made that sound good, but don't have an overall impression yet. Upstate woman who's a social liberal and fiscal conservative would easily hold the seat in NY.

[ShortnFiery]

18. I'll send money to whomever is her best democratic challenger in the 2010 primaries.

Blue Dog/DLC/New Way has RULED our party for far too long. :thumbsdown:

[Muttocracy]

23. it's true we ought to be able to elect a liberal senator here

if we can do it anywhere. I need to read more about her record - in any case, I doubt it's much different than Hillary so it will be similar to if HRC finished out her term, except that Gillibrand won't be running for Pres or leaving for the Cabinet.

Who do you prefer of the names floated?

[Lavender Brown]

17. I like her and think she is promising as Clinton's replacement.

She is not perfect by any stretch, but I think there is a lot of hyperbole on DU right now about this Blue Dog label, and that is unfortunate.

[hlthe2b]

20. From what I've read of her record... I am very disappointed...

I think this Governor has botched the appointment from day 1. As long as he took to (presumedly) come to CKS as a choice, he took no time to find a safe-facing alternate choice. I hope Cuomo kicks his ass in next governor's race.

I can see no strategic advantage to having picked Gillibrand--quite the contrary. We just got another damned DINO in the Senate--guess she can keep Lame Joe company.

[TheWraith]

34. You obviously haven't read her record, just the people complaining.

Read this, then try to tell me she's a DINO.

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

[hlthe2b]

47. It seems the complaints are around areas where she has

expressed no opinion. I agree that what is covered here is largely good, though her gun stances are pretty extreme, IMO, holding crime-ridden cities to the same "hands-off" policy as rural states. She even objects to safety locks for God's sakes. I hope it isn't her child that ends up playing with an unsecured gun at the home of a friend...

But, regardless, she's centrist on most areas, against the Iraq war, pro-FISA warrants, etc.

[Colobo]

24. Hopefully she'll work hard for NYers.

[David Dunham]

27. She is smart, attractive, and a hardworker. She'll do fine.

[ShortnFiery]

29. She's pro-big business democrat in the DLC tradition. That NEGATES all the foregoing. eom

[Muttocracy]

35. what has she done pro-big-business vs. work for small farmers, small high-tech in NY

I'm not disagreeing, just trying to learn more about her.

[TheWraith]

36. Well, she voted for more regulation, checks on executive pay, and alternative energy...

Oh wait, I'm getting in the way with those silly "facts." :)

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

[Muttocracy]

37. and against the $700B bailout package - just read that on her campaign site

http://kirstengillibrand.com/release.asp?id=1

[CK_John]

30. She will be VP in 2012 and our presidential candidate in 2016. n/t

[Sultana]

38. You wish

:eyes:

Ain't gonna happen.

[nsd]

39. Should have been Maloney. /nt

[TheWraith]

40. Maloney is downstate. Never had a chance, and frankly shouldn't have.

When New York City becomes an independent state, then they can have two senators all to themselves. Until then, the other 90% of the state would like a say, thanks.

[SuperTrouper]

50. Maloney must be pissed. Paterson let her go out on TV and

make a fool of herself saying that she is ready on day one and that she should get the nod. What a mess...

[Raineyb]

73. Excuse you but NYC has nearly half the state's population

Why upstate always seems to think we ought not count is bizarre to say the least.

Regards

[TheWraith]

98. The problem is NYC thinks they're the only ones that count.

More than half the population, 90% of the territory, and all of the resources are up here, but we've got patchy representation if that, and the state Dems barely acknowledge that we're still sucking down oxygen. One city does not need two senators 24/7.

[Justitia]

41. Blue Dog, loves the NRA, anti-immigrant - sounds just peachy!

:sarcasm:

Sounds just like my senator - Senator Torture the Box Turtles Cornyn.

Heckuvajob Gov Paterson!

[SuperTrouper]

51. Gillibrand will not be the nominee in 2010, it will be Carolyn McCarthy

[leftynyc]

58. Or Cuomo

Unless he decides to take Patterson's job (which now that he's pissed off the Clintons, Cuomos and Kennedy's may be much easier than he thinks).

[davepc]

83. McCarthy wont get a vote north of Westchester County.

Why do people have such a hardon for a person who didn't bother to change her voting registration from Republican to Democrat untill 2002.

[Grateful for Hope]

42. Extremely disappointed. n/t

[high density]

43. One thing is for sure, Patterson always disappoints

This guy's a clown.

[BeyondGeography]

52. If you're going to have an opinion on the guy, learn how to spell his name

:dunce:

[saltpoint]

44. If she becomes a U.S. Senator today, her "district" just expanded to

the entire State of New York.

She will be able to tap into donor bases more readily, enhance the profile of her decidedly liberal populist record, and appeal to a more liberal statewide demographic.

[w4rma]

53. It won't matter. She's going to get a divisive primary battle for 2010 if she is the pick.

Patterson is going to wish he had chosen Cuomo when all is said and done.

[saltpoint]

54. Possibly both are true, but just as possibly, Gillibrand will prevail

in the primary, ditto Paterson in the gubernatorial race.

In 1976, Moynihan faced (arguably) the most divisive primary battle in New York State history versus Bella Abzug, who essentially beat the crap out of him, falling just short of a win. But he went on to defeat Buckley by a handsome margin.

It's true some primaries weaken the eventual nominee but it's also true that sometimes they strengthen him or her.

[w4rma]

55. Cuomo will be gunning for Patterson in the gubernatorial primary and Maloney will be

after this blue dog in the Senatorial primary. Both challengers appear to be more progressive than the incumbents and more popular. Also, important. Both challengers are better known statewide than the incumbents.

[saltpoint]

56. We'll see. I think it's far too early to undersell Paterson or Gillibrand.

They have not been as tested but that doesn't mean their insincts for victory are less keen.

[ShortnFiery]

82. Undersell? No, but I'll donate to their more progressive democratic primary challengers. eom

[Lady-Damai]

46. WHO?! WHAT?!

:argh:

[olkaz]

57. Those of you unhappy with the pick, we'll trade you Roland Burris for her.

Deal?

[Justitia]

80. I'm thinking Burris is going to be a much better Senator. In fact, I'll trade mine for Burris!

Welcome to my Senator, Senator Torture-The-Box-Turtles Cornyn.

[TuxedoKat]

59. Would have preferred CK

but Gillibrand was my reluctant second choice, mostly because of how she voted on FISA and something else. Greatly prefer her over Cuomo or any of the other entreched NY state politicians. She'll probably be okay.

[Sensitivity]

60. She is ruputed to be supported by the Clintons and this sadly raises questions re. how Kennedy was

undermined.

[PBS Poll-435]

65. BWAHAHA

Give it up already.

I know who Clinton wanted and it wasn't Kirsten Gillibrand.

[ErinBerin84]

68. all of the local news here (upstate, in Kirsten's district)

is reporting that Hillary ok'ed it , though I don't know where they get their reporting...maybe they are just trying to pump her up since she is from here, but she does have a really good relationship with Hillary. I voted for her in the district, though I'm not crazy about her for senate....hopefully, she does a good job though. Hillary's first choice decided she didn't want it, so I don't know if Kirsten was a runner up or anything...Hillary did supposedly want a woman to replace her, right?

[ShortnFiery]

79. Yes, something STINKS. Schumer and Clinton wanted this Blue Dog.

:thumbsdown:

[Phx_Dem]

61. She sounds like a Republican. Bad choice Patterson.

IMO, Patteron didn't handle this appointment any better than Caroline Kennedy. He looked like a rookie who didn't have control of the situation, and now he's picked a Blue Dog Dem who voted against repealing DADT and does not support any gun control laws. I wonder where she stands on women's right to choose and stem cell research.

I'm not a huge fan of Andrew Cuomo, though I was a fan of his father, but he would have been a better choice.

Not at all impressed with Gillibrand or Patterson.

[Occam Bandage]

67. No need to "wonder." Look it up.

She's a big supporter of abortion rights and of stem-cell research. The bad is her stance on immigration. The good is everything else (including gun rights, IMO; the Supreme Court made it very clear that guns are an individual and not a collective right).

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=65147

[PBS Poll-435]

64. FUCK

There goes that seat. (Gillibrand's House Seat)

We worked really hard for that one in '06.

[wyldwolf]

66. ousted a four-term Republican incumbent in 2006 ... she's a great pick

[ShortnFiery]

81. Ladies and Gentlemen ...

I rest my case. :evilgrin:

[wyldwolf]

97. ShortnFiery solution: Pick someone who LOSES to Republicans!

[Justitia]

87. Here in TX a Dem took DeLay's seat - ONCE. It's back to repug now, so BFD. -eom

[BzaDem]

93. Um, she not only ousted a 4 term Republican incumbant in 2006 but won in 2008 by a landslide

[Justitia]

94. And Lampson took TOM DELAY's seat, now it's gone. Her seat will go repug. Congrats! -eom

[Raineyb]

70. Lousy pick

I'll be supporting whoever runs against her in the primary.

Regards

[HeraldSquare212]

71. I'm glad she was chosen. The DINO charge is a bit overdone - she votes with Dems 93% of the time.

She's from a Republican district, that we were all happy to get when she won. It's a bit odd to now criticize her for taking some stands that are more aligned with her constituents. She could have had 100% rating from all Dem groups and a 0% rating from a Rep groups but then she wouldn't have been in Congress at all.

And at least she has a record we can look at, unlike other candidates who were idolized without anything being known about their positions on a whole host of issues.

[ClarkUSA]

72. "Daddy is a lobbyist" Gillibrand is for extending the Bush tax cuts and is against gun control.

She's a total political opportunist, though, so I expect her to do a 180 on these issues within the next week, as she
has with gay marriage in the past 24 hours. If she doesn't, she's toast in 2010.

[Raineyb]

74. McCarthy's already announced that she's running in the primary in 2010

I know who won't be getting my vote.

Regards

On edit Ugh! My fingers are moving faster than my brain.

[ClarkUSA]

77. Good for her. I like and admire McCarthy immensely. Her story is a profile in personal courage.

I know who I won't support, too, no matter what kind of gun-control advocate/gay marriage supporter/anti-Bush tax cut
Gillebrand transforms herself into. She can pull a Mitt Romney but it won't work.

[davepc]

86. McCarthy was a lifelong republican till her husband was killed.

She never changed her registration to Democrat until 2002, and was courted and considered (before rejecting) an offer to run as a Republican in 1998.

McCarthy gun control crusade will NOT FLY north of Westchester County, and she will lose badly in the northern and western part of the state.

Oh, she also VOTED FOR THE WAR.

[ClarkUSA]

88. So what? I was an independent until late 2003.

As for upstate NY, they are not one-issue voters. Hillary was for gun control, wasn't she?

[HeraldSquare212]

75. Clinton voted for the war and the Patriot Act - did you vote against her in her last primary battle?

[ClarkUSA]

76. I don't vote for, donate to, or support unrepentant DLC warmongers.

I have principles, unlike some politicians who reek of political malpractice.

[ShortnFiery]

78. There you go! Let's support the good people of NY State to wash out the DLC - GOP liters? eom

[ClarkUSA]

89. I'm with ya all the way.

:fistbump:

[Raineyb]

95. Yes I did.

I don't like to reward politicians for voting the wrong way.

Regards

[WI_DEM]

84. I had no dog in this fight. If she does well, good for her.

[berni_mccoy]

90. She's a terrible speaker, that's for certain. however, she appears to have a great voting record.

[Justitia]

92. Sure, conservative, NRA poster girl, anti-immigrant, Pro Border Fence, sounds peachy!

NY screwed the pooch on this one. Good luck w/that.

[WeDidIt]

91. She probably stands a good chance at being re-elected against King on 2010

so long as she can survive a primary, that is.

[yourguide]

96. The silver lining in this is it leaves cuomo open for the governors race.