Our Next Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand
Well, if the swirling rumors are true, at noon today, Congresswomen Kirsten Gillibrand will be announced as our next Senator replacing Hillary Clinton. There is a lot of talk and buzz surrounding Gillibrand much like there was surrounding Kennedy. Here are some random musings.
1. Glad Kennedy didn’t make the cut. I wasn’t really impressed with her poise and anointment. I would have been OK with her because, as others have pointed out, Senators Clinton and Moynihan didn’t hold elected office before - but it didn’t feel right - especially with Kennedy’s record of not voting and the Bloomberg backing.
I told someone recently, the name gets the door opened, but you have to walk through the doorway with poise and grace. Her trips to make herself available, her media interaction and responses were a real turn-off.
2. Glad it is not Cuomo. I really like Andrew Cuomo and, for purely selfish reasons, I really want him to stay at AG. I like what he is doing. Plus - if he wants a shot at governor - I’m OK with that as well. I find Cuomo personable, engaged and tough.
3. Gillibrand is as good as any. She is a prolific fundraiser, has been in Congress and knows her way around. She can hit the ground running. Sure, she is a Blue Dog Democrat - these Blue Dogs used to back Bush by blocking certain congressional actions (I have to look up her record to see where she stood on these things). She receives 100% support from the NRA . BUT - in the end - she is a Congresswomen from a single district in New York. She now has to reach across the entire state to earn votes. This means my vote in Rochester, as well as a strong Dem base in New York City. She gets to move beyond her conservative district.
Besides, if I don’t like what she is doing, her office has a phone number and there is always the primary option.
4. Finally, Let’s look at what we have now before we get pissed at Gillibrand. Do you like Schumer? Do you agree with him 100% of the time? I’m guessing no - then why should Gillibrand be any different? Wasn’t Schumer an early backer of Gillibrand? The same Schumer is subject to being punk’d and gave us Mukasey and waterboarding. Yet, Schumer does do good things as well. Let’s see how he and Gillibrand work in the Majority.
So there you have it -
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I was excited about the idea of Caroline Kennedy when it first got brought up, but as time passed, I have to agree that she wasn’t ready for everything that it entailed. I’m glad to have someone from upstate chosen and I’m glad that we’re keeping a woman for the seat.
It will be interesting to see who ends up taking her spot in congress though, as that is not a district that is in any way guaranteed to go to a Democrat. Of course, the Dems have a bit of a cushion now, so it’s not as crucial.
All great points, stlo7. Excellent wrap-up!
All good points. She should do well in WNY too. I’m surprised by how much I’m amused by the exploding heads on dKos right now. I can’t stand purity trolls and those who see themselves as the Liberal Illuminati.
And it already started...
She now serves outside her district. I’m sure more to follow
So by that do you mean that, unrestrained by neanderthal rural conservatives in her district, she won’t have to keep her real views under wraps anymore?
Well, John if that is what you see in the mirror…
I mean there is a lot there in your comment John, and I realize you are trying to be cute but come on.
Her job was to represent the 20th Congressional District. Now she has to represent New York State.
Personally, it is where she will be on the spectrum of issues not this or any other single issue.
Albany is upstate?
And one more thing I will say about Caroline Kennedy, and then I will be done. We had the opportunity to embrace this woman who most likely has public service in her blood. A classy woman who tried to stay private most of her life came out from her cloistered world to try to make a difference and do the right thing according to her family’s legacy and was shot down and treated like crap, not because she was unqualified, but because her name was Kennedy, The rumors that are running rampant regarding why she pulled her name out of consideration may or may not be true, but it doesn’t matter any more because she did pull her name out and now we have a gun-lovin Senator receiving full support from the NRA for New York State. Yee-haw!!
And I’m done.
Yes it definitely is. To people in NYC, Westchester is upstate.
You know I’m always a little facetious. In actual fact, I think Ms. Gillibrand may be the kind of politician we should all want.
I don’t really know that much about her yet, but, she seems smart, articulate and energetic. She also does not seem to be an idealogue; it actually appears like she may actually weigh options and consider results before she acts. Being from Upstate NY is also a plus.
She seemed sincere in her press conference. I’m going to hold out some hope that she really will serve all New Yorkers.
Ladikiddo - I agree she was treated unfairly. I’m afraid it would be even worse if she was trying to run a campaign for the position. I just think she might not have thick enough skin to go through with it. I hope she’s not so discouraged that she refrains from getting involved in some way, however.
Anyone know how many votes that NRA rating is based on?
To be honest, I didn’t hear any names mentioned for the position who I wouldn’t have some reservations about.
My point exactly.
What about to the people who live in Rochester?
What’s up with the nasty stuff from Paterson’s office about CK? Agreed that CK may have been above her head with this Senate appointment, but she was riding off into the sunset anyway.
If there are primaries, I’ll be more likely to vote against Paterson for the way they handled this appointment.
[...] at the choice of Gillibrand, although many would say she’s hardly “progressive.” Rochester Turning has a more nuanced view (with bullet points), which pretty much agree with my own. I didn’t [...]