Dem Congressman Steve Israel Won't Challenge Gillibrand In Primary -- After Obama Phone Call
Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), who had been preparing to challenge appointed U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the 2010 Democratic primary, has announced that he will not be running -- at the urging of President Obama, who has now stepped in to clear the field for Gillibrand.
"I spoke with President Obama today," Israel said in a statement. "He asked me that I not run for the U.S. Senate this year."
Israel said this was a tough decision, and he'd received a lot of encouragement to make the race: "But in the interest of providing New York and our country with a united front for progressive change, I have decided to continue my efforts in Congress and not pursue a campaign for the U.S. Senate."
Late Update: DSCC Chairman Bob Menendez has released this statement: "Steve Israel is a terrific Congressman, and the people of Long Island are lucky to have him as their fierce advocate in Washington. New Yorkers have one of the strongest Congressional delegations in the country and clearly Senator Gillibrand is making them proud as their new Senator. She's working around the clock, traveling the state, delivering for New York, and given her strong track record thus far, looks to be well-positioned for 2010. The DSCC looks forward to continuing working with her to make sure she well-prepared for her race."
Late Late Update: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's office gives us this statement from her: "I am very appreciative of Congressman Israel's generous decision. Congressman Israel has been an extraordinary leader within the delegation and has been a friend since I first ran for Congress. I look forward to working with him and President Obama to fix the economy and create good-paying jobs on Long Island and across New York."
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
This is all crap. Gillibrand was appointed for crying out loud, she deserves a primary challenge most of all. Are they worried she would lose? How do they know she can stand up to the scrutiny of a general, as she's never run for State wide office before. A primary would be a good test for her - better for her to screw up in the primary than in the general.
May 15, 2009 7:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Are they worried she would lose?"
They're worried that she's got a tough battle ahead with Republicans and that the party can lose the seat if they blow a lot of energy and make the other side's arguments for them in a bruising primary. Are you sure they're wrong?
BTW, I wonder what Israel hopes to gain by agreeing to fold his tent. Wonder if Obama hinted at some prize for him.
May 15, 2009 10:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's what I'm sure of. 1) Patterson appointed Gillibrand for one reason only -- because he is in electoral distress himself and wanted to curry favor with more conservative upstaters. 2) Gillibrand is essentially a blue dog from a liberal state.
At the very least, what New Yorkers deserve is the ability to pressure Gillibrand from the left by means of a realistic primary challenge. And they should have the ability to replace her with someone better if she doesn't respond to that pressure by moving in a direction more suited to her constituents -- that is, a more liberal direction.
May 17, 2009 8:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Your perspective makes sense, of course. Obama and Schumer obviously aren't on board with you, as we see.
May 18, 2009 11:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know 10 New Yorkerers who won't be voting for her. . . . A group of us flew into DC for an industry lobbying event. We had an appointment with one of her aids. After being left to stand in the hallway outside her office for 20 minutes, the receptionist announced that the aid must have forgotten and doublebooked the appointment time.
Amatuer hour . . . and not a great way to keep constituents happy.
May 15, 2009 9:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. Now there's a mature reason to vote against somebody! NOT.
And if industry lobbyists are upset with Gillibrand, that makes me feel better about her.
May 17, 2009 8:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank God. The ethno-religious balance of the Dem caucus has been getting seriously out of whack.
May 15, 2009 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink