Nice Choice Gov

As an upstate New Yorker, let me voice my rarely vocal political opinion that Governor Patterson has made the right choice with Kirsten Gillibrand. From Albany Times Union:

Here’s what we know for sure: Gov. David Paterson will finally reveal his choice to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate at noon today.

While there’s nothing official about who will be standing next to him at the Capitol, strong signs are pointing in the direction of U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Greenport.

While Gillibrand’s spokeswoman denied any contact between Gillibrand and Paterson throughout the day Thursday, a highly placed Democratic source said that members of New York’s Congressional delegation were briefed Thursday afternoon that Gillibrand will be named.

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo would have been a good choice, but this is a great choice in my opinion. The media is running around asking why. Here is why. Next year this Senate seat will go to election, and by putting her in this position, she will never lose it, ever. Cuomo carried only 58% of the state vote in a deep blue state, Gillibrand carried a red district with 58%. She is smarter than her public charm presents, and she is not only well liked, but she relates well with people in a way that doesn't smell politik. She is serious about family, serious about jobs, and has always demonstrated to her constituency that she is serious about her job of representing them. It does annoy my very progressive friends that she gets a 100% NRA rating, which by the way, doesn't bother me at all. I've met her several occasions, and have nothing but good things to say about her.

Expect outrage from the city folk. I noticed Wayne Barrett is going nuts, but the good professor needs to put his rolling papers away. Nobody who spends any serious time in Albany sees it odd when a family has close ties to one party and switches to another, indeed I smell your elitist attitude when the thesis suggests "political family" roots aren't sufficient enough to represent New Yorkers in government. When the government family tree begins looking like a stick, for example Bush 41 and Bush 43, perhaps it is time to bring in new genes. It is also odd to suggest someone with very thin ties to Joe Bruno is out of the ordinary. Get a clue man, everyone in state politics on both sides of politics has thin ties to Joe Bruno, he was the most powerful politician in this state for decades.

Kirsten Gillibrand has been on the HASC for the last two years, and represented herself very well there. Senator Clinton has been on the Senate Armed Services Committee over the last several years, in theory Kirsten should be able to walk into that position and hold her own, assuming she gets that assignment.

I know, this isn't a political blog blah blah, and while this might be something you see on TV news, this decision is a lot closer to home for me.