Aide: Kirsten Gillibrand picked as next NY senator

[Xoce]

Aide: Kirsten Gillibrand picked as next NY senator
By MICHAEL GORMLEY, Associated Press Writer Michael Gormley, Associated Press Writer 9 mins ago

ALBANY, N.Y. – Democratic congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand is the New York governor's pick to fill Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's vacate Senate seat.

An aide to the governor tells The Associated Press that the 42-year-old Gillibrand will be named by Gov. David Paterson on Friday. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not been made.

Gillibrand (JIL'-uh-brand) was a dark horse, lacking the name recognition of Caroline Kennedy, who withdrew her candidacy, or even the seniority of other New York representatives vying for the job.

But she is a proven vote-getter in her sprawling eastern New York district. She picked off an entrenched Republican incumbent in 2006 and cruised to re-election last year.

[Xoce]

Gillibrand is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition.[4] She strongly opposes gun control.[5] She supports extending the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for middle tax families; stem cell research; and the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act.[6] Gillibrand opposes attempts to partially privatize Social Security.[7] She strongly supported passage of the 2008 Farm Bill.[8] Gillibrand broke with former Governor Eliot Spitzer on the issue of illegal immigration, opposing his plan to issue New York State drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.[9] On gay rights, Gillibrand has received an 80 out of a 100 rating from the LGBT advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign, which is the lowest score out of New York’s Democratic representatives.[10]

(wikipedia)

and here is her website on the issues:

http://www.gillibrand.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=140&Itemid=39

[eb22]

All things considered,   under the circumstance of a Democrat Governor making the decision,     Kirsten Gillibrand is a more favorable choice than I expected.     She seems like a significant upgrade from Hillary " Saddam "  Clinton,   who she will be replacing.

[HiWarp]

All things considered,   under the circumstance of a Democrat Governor making the decision,     Kirsten Gillibrand is a more favorable choice than I expected.     She seems like a significant upgrade from Hillary " Saddam "  Clinton,   who she will be replacing.

Unfortunately the upgrade for New York is counterbalanced by the downgrade for the country as Hillary can do much more damage as Secretary of State than she can as junior senator from New York.

[Vito]

At least that's one more pro-2nd Amendment senator in NY. I'm surprised she was picked though...