The Governor's Choice

by Scott Feldman

It was a plum gig. Junior U.S. Senator from New York. And the winner is ----Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand from upstate Hudson. It's a heavily Republican and conservative district. And already, gun control and immigration advocates --including fellow Democrats --are hopping mad.

Long Island Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy has signaled she is considering running a primary against NRA supporter Gillibrand. McCarthy's husband was killed by a gunman on the Long Island railroad.

And another Carolyn, Carolyn Maloney, a fellow veteran democratic congresswoman from Manhattan, is considering a 2010 primary against Gillibrand. 

On the republican side, Long Island Congressman Peter King has already signaled his intention to run for the Senate in 2010. News 12's political analyst Jerry Kremer tells me that King can raise a lot of money, including funds from outside New York state and he has a big conservative base.

And as for those Democrats who had fingers crossed they'd be tapped by Paterson?

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, who ran unsuccessfully for Governor, could very well be selected by Paterson as his ticket-mate for Lt. Governor in 2010. Paterson, of course, is from New York City. Suozzi would give Paterson a strong suburban presence.

It's not likely Attorney General Andrew Cuomo would have turned down Paterson for the senate seat. But now, Cuomo will just continue on as AG, and if the Governor stumbles, Cuomo would be there to step up and challenge Paterson in a primary.

Huntington Congressman Steve Israel would dearly have loved to move to the Senate. But he's well respected in the House and by President Obama and political observers say he is well positioned to keep moving up in the ranks of his party.

So, while Gillibrand has her detractors, she also has her supporters. She's pro-gun, but also pro-choice and her selection is being hailed by abortion rights groups. Strong support is also coming from the state's largest gay rights group and from Long Island environmentalists.

We here at News 12 will be paying close attention to New York's newest senator. I'm hopeful I get a chance to sit down and talk to her soon.

Comments

[John]

While I naturally would've preferred someone from our own backyard, and while I've never heard of Gillibrand before, I have to say that I'm genuinely impressed with Paterson's choice--and that's something I don't get to say very often at all!

She's honest about the correlation between her campaign contributions and voting record. She doesn't vote on party lines. She voted against the TARP idiocy, especially. And her legal career appears sterling. Being Polly Noonan's grandkid doesn't hurt her image, either, to be honest.

She also has the right opponents; anybody who irritates Carolyn "What Bill of Rights?" McCarthy is OK in my book. I just hope she can keep her head on straight dealing with the Senate on a regular basis.

[Cynthia]

Like the Governor, I didn't see that coming.