NY Dem: 'A Lot of People' Mulling Challenge to Gillibrand
As the intense debate over the economic stimulus bill wound to a close on Friday, I had the chance to ask Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) about Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), the conservative-leaning freshman congresswoman who has had something of a rocky ride since being appointed to Hillary Clinton's Senate seat less than a month ago.
Gillibrand's record and persona have sparked a string of heartburn-inducing headlines for liberals, from her stint as a defense lawyer for Big Tobacco -- exposed in last week's Village Voice -- to her Palin-esque penchant for keeping rifles under her bed, reported just this morning.
One New York Democrat, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, already has vowed to pursue a primary against Gillibrand on the gun control issue. During our discussion, Maloney also declined to rule out a challenge, citing an entirely different policy dispute with Gillibrand.
"As one who represents New York City, her vote against funding to save the financial system of our country" is troubling, Maloney said. Gillibrand voted against George Bush's initial banking rescue plea as well as last month's $350 billion bailout request by Barack Obama.
"A lot of people are looking at running," Maloney added. "I'm trying to figure out whether I should support another candidate, and how I should react to it. ... People are concerned."
New York's House delegation has any number of experienced Democrats who could battle Gillibrand from the left, including Reps. Jose Serrano and Nydia Velazquez, who are said to be dismayed over the appointed senator's votes against giving illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.
But the key question is whether one potential primary opponent can amass sufficient support from his or her colleagues to take on Gillibrand. The new senator already has a powerful weapon in her corner, with Senate Democratic campaign chief Robert Menendez (D-NJ) standing by Gillibrand and predicting last week that by 2010, "she will have convinced her fellow Democrats that she deserves their support."
Josh
Elana
Matt
Eric
Already? Jeeez, give her a gd chance for pete's sake.
February 16, 2009 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
What are you talking about?
She's had plenty of time to spell herself out, and has, in the worst ways. She herself said she has the most conservative voting record in the state of NY. If she now responds to peer pressure and doesn't vote as she has, consistently, in the past, so what? Wouldn't it make more sense to have someone there who's actually devoted to progressive policy, rather than an opportunistic fraud? This isn't about gun control or gay rights or any individual line item: She's strayed far from the leeway one can ascribe to too many of those issues and still call oneself a Democrat.
I'm assuming you're a troll, because nobody can be this plug ignorant. She's had a chance. Inform yourself here:
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2009/01/the_new_frontru.php
February 17, 2009 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Carolyn McCarthy is a shrew.
Democrats must stop treating gun owners like Republicans treat gays.
February 16, 2009 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, it's just like that. No difference at all. Uh huh.
In case you haven't noticed, Gillibrand wants to remain the Democratic senator from New York -- not Arkansas or Texas. Stopping gun violence isn't exactly an electoral loser here.
Especially downstate, voters across party lines are comfortable with reasonable restrictions on handguns and assault weapons. (Carolyn McCarthy was a typical Long Island Republican before a maniac killed her husband and injured her son with an assault weapon.)
In any event, Gillibrand's not being "persecuted" because of that one issue. She's got lots of other problems. She's taken so many positions that, while perfectly understandable for someone representing the most conservative ocngressional district in the state, aren't exactly electoral gold for a Democrat statewide. So, don't worry.
February 17, 2009 12:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
a p89 9mm is not accurately described as an 'assault weapon'.
February 18, 2009 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
...and, umm, stop treating women like Republicans treat, umm, women...
I don't know Carolyn McCarthy personally, and I've given up the ghost on gun control myself, but if there's one person in this country that has a right to support it without reservation, it would be her.
February 16, 2009 5:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is there any wonder why Dems voters are always being effed-over by the politicos.Pay attention to your Senate makeup.Almost all are Repuke like.How the eff do you expect to achieve a progressive agenda ?Appointing a DINO to the position & now you are being told to be patient,she will come around.Everyone who are supposedly progressive & supports this DINO well,I am just saying I told you so.And for the Governor who sees himself as a progressive candidate to appoint this woman is just beyond the pale.Oh! by the way did you see who she had standing side by side with her,Alphonse De Mato.That says it all.Clue enough ?sheeeesh!
February 17, 2009 12:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
All these people, including many at least ostensible progressives and liberals, were sniping at Caroline Kennedy, and Gov Paterson waited while she twisted in the wind.
So what do we end up with -- the State of NY has one of the VERY MOST conservative Democrats in the whole Senate, and this in an age when public opinion, especially in NY, is crying for serious progressive reform.
Those snipers reflect a deeper 'anti-Kennedy' agenda held by many (similar phenomenon applies to all the sniping at Yoko Ono, to get a foot in the door at the legacy of John Lennon)
Beware of all that agenda-driven sniping. Liberals and even progressives seem to lack the intellectual tools, and/or the spine, to address it.
February 17, 2009 6:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Let me offer you a free clue. Nobody gives a fuck about (the totally unqualified) Caroline. She would have been primaried out on her ass in 2010. Just as Gillibrand will be. And "liberals" are not to blame for Patterson being a dumb jerk (he'll also be out on his ass.)
February 17, 2009 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink