Friday, January 23, 2009

Congresswoman Kirsten Gillebrand Appointed U.S. Senator From NY

Okay, so I've been telling folks that my Congressperson, Kirsten Gillibrand, was not to be counted out when it came to selection as the next U.S. Senator from NY to replace Hillary Clinton. I commented over on Joe.My.God. about a month ago regarding why Governor Paterson would consider her.

My Congressperson, Kirsten Gillibrand NY-20th, is still in the mix. In November she won the most expensive congressional race in the U.S. where she was outspent by a well-connected GOP candidate who was on TV during every commercial break on all channels. And she spanked him in the election.

She's a proven winner in an upstate GOPish district (looking to 2010 and 2012), has contacts in NYC and the Hudson Valley, is close to Pelosi, and she's a woman which brings the gender balance that Gov Paterson seeks.
From The Empire State Pride Agenda:
January 23, 2009, New York City – Last night likely Senate pick Kirsten Gillibrand spoke to Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle about issues important to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

“After talking to Kirsten Gillibrand, I am very happy to say that New York is poised to have its first U.S. Senator who supports marriage equality for same-sex couples,” said Van Capelle. “She also supports the full repeal of the federal DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) law, repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) and passage of legislation outlawing discrimination against transgender people. While we had a productive discussion about a whole range of LGBT concerns, I was particularly happy to hear where she stands on these issues.”

Should Governor Paterson name her today to fill the seat held by Hillary Clinton, she will join Governor Paterson, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith and numerous other elected officials in the New York State Legislature and across the state who support the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.
From Politico:
David Paterson's choice of Kristin Gillibrand is, by the estimate of the New York pols I talk to, a pretty good pick: A young woman who won a hard-fought, bruising upset in a Republican district in 2006 and held her seat with unexpected ease last year. She has a "moderate" reputation for her pro-gun stance -- but is more or less a down-the-line liberal Democrat; the gun position draws her some flack on her left flank to the same degree that it protects her right and strengthens her upstate. But she assured the state's leading gay rights group yesterday that she backs same-sex marriage, and shows no other conservative leanings.
Her HRC scorecard is 80 out of 100 and 100% from the ACLU.

Congratulations Ms. Gillibrand, I wish you well!

Update: From Human Rights Campaign via Pam's House Blend:
HRC responded to dicussion of Gillibrand's scorecard (via email):

Although Kirsten Gillibrand did not co-sponsor legislation to repeal DADT, non-cosponsorship does not mean support for the policy or opposition to repeal. In fact, in conversations with her office the Human Rights Campaign has confirmed Gillibrand is in favor of repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell and supports full marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples.

Additionally, HRC confirmed with Gillibrand's staff additional points regarding her LGBT record:

• Supports marriage equality
• Cosponsored and voted in favor of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act
• Cosponsored inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and supports enactment of inclusive bill
• Voted in favor of ENDA
• Supports repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell
• Supports repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act
• Supports equal tax treatment of employer provided domestic partnership benefits
• Voted against allowing discrimination in hiring for the Head Start program
• Voted in favor of allowing Washington, DC to fund needle exchange programs with local funds
• Supports the Early Treatment of HIV/AIDS Act (ETHA) to allow states to provide Medicaid coverage for HIV-positive persons
• Voted against procedural attempts to derail ENDA and hate crimes
• Endorsed by HRC PAC in 2008

3 comments:

Jodi said...

Congrats Gavin! You were right!
******

Totally off-topic...are you going to do a LOST post? I'm still shaking my head from Wednesday. I don't even know where to begin.

Gavin said...

No LOST post this week. It seems like a lot happened, but when I think about it, not a lot. Too much time traveling through time and re-introducing characters for much to develop. Interesting that Faraday is going to be a bigger piece of the overall explanation and that he's Dharma. I'm glad Desmond is going to be around, too.

Jodi said...

Too much time travel, I know. The bright light then the change of time started pissing me off after the first three times. LOL!

I am glad though that Faraday is going to be a bigger piece too. I definitely see him hooking up with the redhead as I see Sawyer hooking up with Juliet. I'm SO glad Desmond will be around. I love that guy.

My favorite moment of the night was when Hurley threw the Hot Pocket at Ben and ran out to the police and turned himself in for killing the "4 or 3 guys" instead of going with Ben.