Guv appointed Gillibrand, but won’t commit to supporting her
Two congresspeople who unsuccessfully tried for Hillary Clinton’s vacant senate seat seem ready challenge Senator Kirsten Gillibrand next year. Governor Paterson, who interviewed both and appointed Gillibrand, doesn’t seem prepared to stop them.
Reps. Steve Israel and Carolyn Maloney are stepping up efforts to prepare for a 2010 primary.
Israel, of Suffolk County, will announce he’s running by month’s end, a Democratic source said. And Maloney will create an exploratory committee “very soon,” a source close to the upper East Side congresswoman said.
Both interviewed with Paterson when Clinton left her seat to become secretary of state but lost out to Gillibrand, who was a little-known upstate congresswoman with a conservative voting record for a Democrat.
Sources close to Maloney and Israel say Paterson hasn’t tried to dissuade them from challenging his hand-picked junior senator.
Paterson has company. Chuck Shumer is also sitting this one out.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, who has emerged as Gillibrand’s public champion, has privately told at least one of her likely opponents he won’t “crusade” on her behalf.
Schumer and Israel met last week, and there was “no intimidation” at the get-together, a source said. The senator assured the congressman the two would stay “good friends” even if Israel takes on Gillibrand.
Paterson, now at 19% in the polls, clearly doesn’t want to take any chances on anything. Schumer, who seemingly has nothing to lose, is another story. They pushed Gillibrand on us and now, only four months later, they’re ready to abandon her. I’m no fan of Gillibrand either, but she gave up her hard-won congressional seat and now she is getting the bum’s rush. Thanks for playing, Kirstie.
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I think you will find that Schumer is behind her 100%:
http://www.politickerny.com/3464/more-meaning-chucks-public-defense-kirsten
If only he were as committed to single payer healthcare, we’d be in business! Where are you when we need you, Chuck?
Why would “Mr 19%” try to stop a primary? The larger question is - can he? Paterson made serious missteps with the Senate appointment which contributes to his low approval rating. So the larger question is how relevant is or would he be in this activity? I mean did GWB travel around the country stumping for GOP candidates in 2008?
I can’t see Chuck sitting out an election either.
Gillibrand is expanding her base now that she has to represent all of New York as opposed to a conservative district. She has moved on some issues and that is a good thing.
Governor Paterson will have is own reelection issues I suppose.