Hey Gov Paterson, I know all the buzz is about Caroline Kennedy, but if you are running for re-election in 2012 (which you are), and you expect to have the Democratic party retain Hillary’s Seat in 2012, Caroline can’t exactly help you, but Kirsten Gillibrand can…
“My personal feeling is that [Gillibrand] has the inside track for several reasons,” said Doug Muzzio, a professor of public policy at Baruch College. “She is a woman, she is smart, she’s an up and comer, and, probably most importantly, she’s not from New York City or the metropolitan area but a true upstater.”
Indeed, geography is considered central to Gillibrand’s appeal. The 20th District of New York borders Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. New York City and its surrounding areas currently hold a monopoly on every statewide office from governor down. Appointing an upstater could help boost both Gov. Paterson’s re-election chances and give the Democrats a wider base as they face the prospect of defending the seat in a special election in 2010, as well as again in 2012. Moreover, as a woman and a Catholic, Gillibrand could help solidify two key Democratic constituencies.
Politically, Gillibrand, who is 41, is a conservative Democrat and a member of the Blue Dog caucus, which might make her more palatable to some of the more right-leaning areas outside the city. You might call her a bizarro version of Sarah Palin: she proudly touts her 100 percent rating from the National Rifle Association, and has two young children, aged 4 years old and six months old.
Gillibrand was a member of the class of 2006 that swept the Democratic Party to the majority in Congress. It would have been easy to regard her defeat of the 20th district’s incumbent Republican, John Sweeney, as a fluke. Sweeney was in the process of a political implosion in which he turned up—acting strangely—at a college frat party. Days before the election, The Albany Times-Union published police reports that his wife had called 911 on him during an argument (they have since gotten divorced).
But Gillibrand faced a seemingly far tougher race this year against an experienced and well-funded candidate, Sandy Treadwell, who had previously served as New York Secretary of State and as chairman of the state Republican Party. In one of the most expensive congressional races in the country, Gillibrand won in a landslide, taking 62 percent of the vote to Treadwell’s 38 percent.
Now with her skills as a campaigner no longer in doubt, her fundraising strong, and her political stock higher than ever, Gillibrand may be on her way to the United States Senate.
So over to you Gov. Paterson…
Posted by PUMA Pundit
