Update: New York, Meet Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Posted by Gregg Levine, Firedoglake at 11:20 AM on January 23, 2009.

We have a winner.

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After a month of rumors, New York Governor David Paterson has selected 42-year-old Kirsten Gillibrand as the replacement for now-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Gillibrand has just begun her second term as the Representative from New York’s 20th district—one of the most conservative districts currently held by a Democratic House member.

Gillibrand is a member of conservative Blue Dog caucus. She is the only NY Democrat to have voted against the TARP legislation both times it came before the House, and has supported the renewal of Bush tax cuts.

Gillibrand has also been criticized for her close ties to the NRA. Her positions on gun control are likely to earn Gillibrand a primary challenge from Long Island Representative Carolyn McCarthy.

Gillibrand’s positions on some social issues is, shall we say, a work in progress. Once maligned for her less than clear statements on abortion rights, Gillibrand and her supporters now make it clear that she is solidly pro-choice. Gillibrand has also moved to support full marriage rights for same-sex couples; a position she was much less clear about just weeks ago. (Her new position is stronger than either that of current Senator Chuck Schumer or former Senator Clinton.)

Gillibrand is known as an impressive fundraiser—if you are one to be impressed by those sorts of things.

~~You can see Governor Paterson and Representative Gillibrand here~~ ~~(currently live)~~.

Governor Paterson's introductory remarks are now available here.

Tagged as: congress, obama, hillary clinton, new york, u.s. senate, caroline kennedy

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Senator Kristen Gillibrand [Report this comment] Posted by: 2thepoint on Jan 23, 2009 10:32 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] NYC democrats feel they have the last say on NY politics and will not tolerate anyone else who doesnt conform to their views..... glad they don't. Kennedy was a joke and proved way to vulnerable. Way to go Patterson! [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] It's a New York thing... [Report this comment] Posted by: ABetterFuture on Jan 23, 2009 11:18 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] ...until their particular reps to our republic government start subverting the rights of the rest of us. 'Til then, my advice to the rest of the country is to deal with it and move on.bum.org [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Dismantle AIPAC [Report this comment] Posted by: weathered on Jan 24, 2009 7:59 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] if she gets $$ from Israel like Chuck'drama queen'Schumer, then she's dirty and can't be trusted. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Never trust a Blue Dog [Report this comment] Posted by: warrior woman on Jan 24, 2009 8:50 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] They've sold us out before, what makes us think that it won't happen again?? [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] From What I Know, She's A Hard, Smart, Worker [Report this comment] Posted by: dhoa1 on Jan 24, 2009 12:12 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I come from the 21st District, centered on Albany, so I know Kirsten by reputation, and am on her mailing list. I'm no conservative on social issues, and when she concerns herself with the whole State, I think you will find that she and I agree. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Good news, bad news. [Report this comment] Posted by: wildbill on Jan 24, 2009 12:21 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Her positions on the NRA and Bush tax cuts are liabilities for many of us, but, at this point, how can you fault someone who twice voted against TARP? [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Hold up the hand that is not in someone else's pocket and repeat after us. [Report this comment] Posted by: monkeywrench on Jan 24, 2009 5:46 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Ms. Gillibrand is an impressive fundraiser? BINGO! In today's America, that's all she needs to be senator! Nice to know the same three-word mantra is still being chanted in Washington: follow...the...money. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] This is Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman [Report this comment] Posted by: LMNOP on Jan 24, 2009 7:04 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Can you imagine how damaging this would be if there were 60 Democrats and this was one of them? As it is, she requires the Dems to recruit 2 Republicans to break a filibuster - Olympia Snowe sometimes, and well, Susan Collins? [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] waynep [Report this comment] Posted by: waynep on Jan 24, 2009 10:36 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Would not have been my first choice...but no one elected me to be NY Governor (or Lt. Gov. as the case my be). She is now the jr.Dem. senator from NY. Let's give her a shot and see what she does. There is plenty of time for sniper fire and primary campaigning if she is not properly representing the people of NY and their viewpoint on issues. If she comes around, votes the right way on the important votes, holds the seat for the Democrats...so much the better. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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