Now that Caroline Kennedy has officially withdrawn her name from consideration for Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat, it’s time to look at the other names on the list.
News reports say that New York Governor David Paterson isn’t inclined to appoint New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and will instead give the seat to New York Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, who has only been in the House of Representatives for two years.
Many women activists have called on Paterson to appoint Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who has been in Congress for 16 years and has a long history as an advocate for women’s and economic issues.
So what does Paterson gain by appointing 42-year-old Gillibrand? Mostly, I think it’s the fact that she’s from upstate, and she’s a Democrat who’s liked by Republicans. And she doesn’t come from a famous political “dynasty,” as Kennedy or Cuomo.
Gillibrand supports SCHIP, proposed legislation to enact the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report and favors decreased federal spending. But she’s also supported by the National Rifle Association. The announcement is supposed to come on Saturday. Maybe to give her some time to find someone to suggest for her Congressional seat?
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I saw her on the House floor, voting on the farm bill, mere hours before giving birth to her second child. I have been in awe of her ever since.
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:29 pm
That is MOST impressive!
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I really hope it is Maloney or Gillibrand and not Cuomo. I want a woman replacing Hillary