Bill Clinton To Fundraise For Gillibrand Challenger Carolyn Maloney

WASHINGTON — In a slap at President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton will headline a fundraiser for a New York congresswoman challenging White House-backed Sen. Kristen Gillibrand in the state's Democratic primary.

Clinton has not endorsed in the race, but his efforts to help Rep. Carolyn Maloney could be seen as a snub to Gillibrand and the Obama White House. Matt McKenna, a spokesman for Clinton, said he will be attending a July 20 fundraiser in New York.

The White House has played an active role in clearing the field for Gillibrand, who was appointed earlier this year to fill the seat vacated when Obama tapped Hillary Rodham Clinton to be his secretary of state. Obama asked Rep. Steve Israel not to challenge Gillibrand, a request he honored. Just days ago, Vice President Joe Biden called Maloney to discuss the race, a clear sign that the White House didn't want a primary fight next year.

Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel told reporters last week that the White House would help Gillibrand's re-election bid.

McKenna disputed any suggestions that Clinton is taking sides in the race, and said Clinton's attendance at past or future fundraisers should not be perceived as an endorsement.

"We agreed to this event some time ago as a way of saying 'thank you' to Congresswoman Maloney for her efforts on his wife's behalf last year," McKenna said.

Bill Clinton also did a fundraising event for Gillibrand, but word of the Maloney event comes as the congresswoman moves toward formally announcing her candidacy. An adviser said this week she is running.

Both Maloney and Gillibrand supported Hillary Rodham Clinton's failed presidential bid, and Bill Clinton had made a point of thanking supporters.

During the Democratic primaries last year, Bill Clinton publicly criticized Obama as untested and unready for the job of president. Hillary Rodham Clinton engaged in a grueling and ultimately losing battle with Obama for the party's nomination. Bill Clinton and Obama made amends and the former president campaigned for the Democratic nominee.

Comments

[111]

Bill Clinton doesn't sway my vote one way or the other. I was swayed by Patterson making no secret of choosing Gillebrand because of what she could do for him politically and financially - not who would best serve NY didn't come into play. I disagree with her on gun control and other issues so I won't vote for her.
I won't be voting for Patterson either.

Aside from that, I resent Obama and/or his party sticking his nose in our state's business. Democrats are just as bad as Republicans in demanding loyalty to the party above everything else.

Time for a third party.

[stell]

If Slick does back Maloney she will lose, just like everyone else he has endorsed.

[harriscrl3]

This SEALED it for me. I will be voting for Gillibrand. Wasnt Gillibrand a strong supporter of BIll and Hilary WTF is going here.

Does Bill need attention that much that he has to jump into the fray?

I cannot believe I voted for this guy.

[Billar]

Let me just say that I resent anyone telling me who to vote for. That's why I plan to vote for Joe Sistex over Obama's candidate Arlen Spector. And I hope that Rep. Maloney wins over that bluedog.

[harriscrl3]

You resent anyon telling you who to vote for. Where have you been. THATS WHAT EVERYONE DO when they run ads and they campaign. What do you think they are doing?

Obama supported Caroline Kennedy did you forget that. Instead Patterson went with Gillibrand and so he supports Gillibrand.

Carolyn and others actually thought that the President wouldnt support Kirsten because she was not his original pick.

UNBELIEVABLE no wonder some of you are easily manipulated. You dont even KNOW when its happening. I resent anyone telling me who to vote for. Indeed.

[glorialovelace]

"You resent anyon telling you who to vote for. Where have you been. THATS WHAT EVERYONE DO when they run ads and they campaign. What do you think they are doing?"

That's very true. People lose sight of the what the nature of political campaigning actually is.

"Obama supported Caroline Kennedy did you forget that."

Obama did not support Caroline Kennedy or anybody else. A lot of people assumed Kennedy had Obama's support because Kennedy had endorsed Obama.

And Obama did not give Caroline Kennedy any position in his administration either after Paterson failed to appoint her.

"Instead Patterson went with Gillibrand and so he supports Gillibrand­."

I think Obama mainly supports the notion of retaining that seat for the Democrats, especially at this crucial time when he needs every seat he can get in order to enact the platform he ran on.

From the standpoint of votes, there's not a very big difference between Gillibrand and Maloney. The President thinks -- as many do -- that having a primary under the present circumstances would not only be needlessly expensive, but it would also deplete the prestige of the party generally.

"Carolyn and others actually thought that the President wouldnt support Kirsten because she was not his original pick."

Carolyn thought she deserved the nomination because she is more senior in Congress than Gillibrand and because Carolyn paid a lot of money to Bill Lynch to lobby Paterson for the job.

[lwaxanatroi]

The only way this is a slap at Obama is if Obama takes sides in the Dem primary, which seems like a pretty odd thing to do. The battle is classic New York: upstate vs. the city. Bill Clinton has an interest in New York politics for two reasons: his wife and his Harlem office. That's two more reasons than Obama has. Let the voters decide, let the chips fall where they may. There will likely be a Democrat in the seat, so the party can rest easy. As a former New Yorker, I'd certainly prefer the less-blue dog, and I am having some trouble understanding why Obama and Emanuel wouldn't feel the same way.

[water57]

Well, I hope that all he raising.

[XME]

Bill Clinton already attended a fundraiser for Gillibrand, so I think it's safe to say he's just helping anyone who backed his wife. This is a non-story,

[glorialovelace]

The AP story was very badly written and misleading. It's very disappointing to see that AP stories are becoming as tendentious as the junk we see on cable TV news and in the tabloids.

Real journalism should not contain speculations by the reporter, which -- in this case -- are completely inaccurate.

[LondonTownNY]

Bill Clinton's support of Representative Maloney is neither a slap at the Obama White House, Gillibrand, nor does it illustrate contempt for Democratic politics. Maloney has been a loyal supporter of the Clinton's, has a strong track record of being an excellent Congresswoman for New Yorkers. Gillibrand is an interesting personality, has a strong intellect, keen political skills and registers strong support outside of New York City in many regions of the state where NYC politico's have a hard time. There is nothing wrong with allowing this to develop into a contest between a long time Democrat and one who is making her chops. May the best lady win. A race between these two women will elevate discourse and give New Yorkers a real choice for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Clinton and once held by Senator Moynihan and RFK. May the best lady win or shall I say instead, may the winner emerge by persuading voters that she is the one best able to represent New York effectively. Contests are good for Democracy.

[glorialovelace]

"A race between these two women will elevate discourse and give New Yorkers a real choice for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Clinton and once held by Senator Moynihan and RFK."

Under different circumstances I might agree, but at the moment, it's critically important to keep both the Senate seat as well as the House seat that Maloney would be vacating in the Democratic column. So swapping Senators, whose philosophies differ by very little is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Contests are not always good for democracy. This one will be very expensive and will deplete both money and prestige that will be needed in the General Election. Plus, whoever wins the General will have to run again in two years. So having this primary is really not a smart move at all.

[LondonTownNY]

And so Maloney should accept a lesser role because Governor Patterson, who with all due respect was not elected to serve as Governor although he is a decent man, chose Gillibrand after much pressure from different factions in the Democratic party? Last I checked, nobody consulted with me or several million other voters in the state of New York.

[AliveInNYC]

I'm sorry, but contests are always good for democracy. It's the fundamental principe of the democratic process.

You suggest that swapping Senators who may have similar philosophies is like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, but isn't it up to the people of New York to decide that? One of the biggest problems in modern government is a sense of entitlement that many elected officials feel.

This myth that a "divisive" primary will hurt the party has been dubunked in the last Presidential primary. Clinton and Obama went through what might have been the most divisive primary in decades, but it did nothing to hurt the party in the long term.

I support Sen. Gilibrand and will vote for her but if Rep. Maloney wants to run, that is her right. That is how democracy is supposed to work instead of party insiders working to supress her canidacy.

[AliveInNYC]

I'll also add that I'm confident that either of these candidates could beat Guliani, Pataki, King or whever the republican candidate may be.

[rinpochet]

How about letting the people decide who they want to represent them? Last time I looked this was supposed to be a democracy. "Contests not good for democracy" ???? Incredible!

[nik74]

Contests are not always good for democracy?
Contests are what democracy is all about!
Democracy is letting the people decide who they want as a representative, not who other politicians (who werent even elected to their position, I might add) decide is best. Let them run against each other in the primaries, and let New Yorkers decide who they want.

[vegasobserver]

Carolyn Maloney has been a strong Congresswoman, not just on guns but on a variety of issues, including financial reform, banking, the foreclosure crisis, and the economy. She has much more experience than Gillibrand, and is a loyal, prominent Democrat who has earned her stripes as a fighter for the party and for the people of New York.

The current governor of NY is a miserable poseur who is adrift and lives in a world of political correctness and bureaucratism. He is a liability for the NY Democratic Party.

[glorialovelace]

photo

"Carolyn Maloney has been a strong Congresswoman, not just on guns "

I'm guessing that you are one of the many people confusing Carolyn Maloney with Carolyn McCarthy, whose congressional district is not very far from Maloney's.

The one who is famous for her stand on guns is McCarthy, whose husband was ki lled on a commuter train by a deranged gu nman.

Maloney isn't famous for anything, except perhaps that she is one of the richest people in Congress. Most people have never heard of her.

I think this widespread mixup is affecting the polls. I'm sure it has distorted them in Maloney's favor.

[harriscrl3]

A LOYAL DEMCOCRAT?

I beg to differ with her decision to run.

[harriscrl3]

Dont be fooled this is Bill Clintons way of testing his political capital in NY. Some of you are Naieve. There is NO BLUER democrat than BIll CLinton. He wants to go up against Obama and this is his way of doing so. He will learn how much political capital he has.

If Obama supports Gillibrand its because he thinks that he can work with her and he prefer Carolyn to remain where she is.

[JackND]

Isn't Maloney's district in NYC? Bill has ties to NYC, so it just could be that.

It' s not hard to believe that there might be some implicit snub here too...the timescale for Bill to truly get over his wife's defeat is likely to be measured in years.

[Steamboater]

Maloney's district is the upper east side of Manhattan.

[harriscrl3]

Thats whats going on here all these big names who are supporting her have ties to NYC. Rangel is in NY, Bill Clintons office was in NY. That means she is not a trailblazer she is just a good old fashioned democrat who has been in Congress TOO LONG. And if anyone think they will get a trailblazer they have a better chance getting it from Kirsten.

[RW2]

This is not a comment so much as a message to the Maloney camp, which I support:

I visited the Maloney web site today, to express SUPPORT. Her campaign is doing their on-line public relations (read: relating with the public, not "media relations") all wrong.

First, I could not submit any comments -- and received an error message -- because I am "NOT IN THE REPRESENTATIVE'S DISTRICT." I moved out of New York, so what? Why should her web site not accept any ideas from people outside the constituency. Perhaps I'd like to support the campaign with a small donation.

This "sorry, you're not one of us" was an AWFUL public communications tactic and infuriated me as a visitor to her web site.

Why aren't you on Facebook ? Why isn't there a FB link on your web site,

On your web site had a 12 field form for users to fill out. Shouldn't that be optional, if we want to hear from you?

You should have a social media director on FB and or twitter responding to your constituency and your supporters. You will not get through this without using every arrow in your quiver. I WANT YOU TO WIN. But this web site is so old school, so "last election cycle." We want to hear from you.

And GOOD FOR YOU that President Clinton is working the fundraiser for you.

Good luck.

[BMS]

Rw2,

I just visited Maloney's website, and I sent her a supportive message. I live in North Carolina.

On her website, click on "Contact Me" and you will see this message:

"One of the most important parts of my job is listening to residents of New York’s 14th District. To send me a message, just complete the 4 steps below. f you live overseas or serve in the military and vote absentee in New York’s 14th District, please use your voting address when submitting a message. In your message please note that you reside at a different address overseas.

If you are not a constituent of New York’s 14th District, but want to send me a message please click here."

Click on the link provided at the end of that last sentence, and you will be able to send her a comment.

[Steamboater]

A few of these politicians websites have that problem where if you don't live in their district you can't submit E-mail. If that's true with Maloney, I'll send her a check anyway. I hope she wins.

[glorialovelace]

Sending Maloney a check of your hard-earned is like shipping coals to Newcastle.

Maloney is one of the richest people in Congress (including the Senate), in case you didn't know.

[AliveInNYC]

As for not accepting comments from outside the district, it's become standard operating procedure for all members of the House.

[gotalifepost]

Still the big dawg.

obama is cheney's puppy.

Lame duck.

[professorbalgus]

This is a fundraiser for crying out loud. Bill Clinton has done more of these than probably anyone on the planet and for almost every Democrat you can imagine. To read into this and somehow see implications of slaps and undercutting is just the height of silliness. Moreover, reporting it in this fashion is quite irresponsible and not seeing through it as a reader is just pathetic.

[placpje]

Ding, Ding, Ding!

We have a winner!

[2Bfair]

It is irresponsible for the Clintons to CONTINUE to sow seeds of discord in the Democratic party. Anything to distract and divide at a time when Obama is trying to unite and lead. Raising precious, limited resources to fuel a costly primary battle seems very unwise.

[ANTIverson]

Maybe you will take anything the WH gives you but some of us would actually like to choose.

[punkingale]

Why is it always "the Clintons" when referring to only one? I didn't read Hillary's name any where.

[rinpochet]

In a democracy isn't it up to the people to make the choice rather than be told who they can vote for? In a totalitarian system that is fine. But not here Not in New York and not in Pennsylvania. I am supporting both Sestak and Maloney.

[cheebaempress]

Way to go Bill! But what does Obama have to do with this, didn't he favor Kennedy ?
This doesn't seem like a snub to the Whitehouse IMO.

[glorialovelace]

There's no reason to suppose that Obama favored Kennedy at all. And after she withdrew, he also did NOT offer her a spot in his administration.

People are claiming it a snub to the White House, because the White House has made it clear that the President is supporting Gillibrand and would prefer that the seat not be put at risk by running an expensive and damaging primary.

Clinton has made it clear that his appearance at this fundraiser is in no way an endorsement. When the fundraiser was set up, it was to raise funds for Maloney's congressional campaign, and not a Senate campaign.

I'll bet that if Maloney pushes the Clinton endorsement angle, that Bill Clinton will drop out of the fundraiser. Repaying a favor is one thing, but to have the repayment misrepresented is simply not on.

[FlamingLibrul]

Gillibrand is just another ConservaDem, and if her challenger is not, then I say GO Bill! Progressives need to work on purifying our own party- the Bill Nelson's and Diane Feinstein's have to go. They are just as destructive to progress and reason on issues such as healthcare- and just as owned by corporate interests as any repug.

[JackND]

It isn't just "their party".

About 40% of people self-identify as Democrats, while only about 20% self-identify as liberal.

Centrists and Progressives are each half-owners of the Democratic Party enterprise.

If the people you mention and others "must go", the Democratic party won't be controlling Congress any more.

[glorialovelace]

"Gillibrand is just another ConservaDem"

If you look at Gillilbrand's actual voting record, you could hardly call her a Conservadem.

The idea of "purifying" the party is kind of unsavory. It reminds us of whatshisname in Ger many.

The Democratic party is and always has been an inclusive, big tent party. If you start keeping people out, or isolating them, there won't be anything left except an unviable fringe group.

[navalvet]

If Sen. Gillibrand delivers on EFCA, and on health care, which I think she may very well do, then she has my vote. She is more likely to win the whole state than Maloney and she would have more seniortiy in the next congress than any freshman.

[JackND]

Yep...Gill­ibrand brings many upstate voters that Maloney would not.

As for Greater NYC...I can't imagine many Democrats deciding to protest Gillibrand not being progressive enough by voting for the GOP candidate.