New York's Next Senator: Opposed to the Obama Agenda

The accidental governor of New York ended his relentless daily display of incompetence in choosing a successor to Senator Hillary Clinton by offering this praise for his choice, Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand: "She also introduced legislation that would require that our federal budget be balanced annually. Our state budget is balanced annually, our federal budget is not."

The governor obviously has no idea that this means he has just delivered a Democratic senator who is committed to voting against the first Obama bill to come her way--the stimulus package that will push the federal budget at least 800 billion dollars farther away from balance. Indeed, the Gillibrand simple-minded devotion to balancing the federal budget above all else means that she must oppose everything on the Obama agenda. Everything President Obama wants to do costs money, money that the federal government doesn't have. Obama, as he made crystal clear in the campaign, plans to do it with deficit spending, something that Congresswoman Gillibrand opposes and something we now discover the governor of New York opposes even though New York state will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of that spending.

Introducing "legislation that would require that our federal budget be balanced annually" is as childish as Congressional behavior can get. If Gillibrand had her way, Obama would have no tools to use to get us out of this recession/depression. Nor would we be able to continue paying soldiers in Iraq or buy the jet fuel to fly them home or enact any version of health care reform.

All the adults in Congress agree that we need a deficit-financed stimulus package--the Democrat v. Republican disagreements are only over the precise size and shape of the package. How long will it take Kirsten Gillibrand to grow up?

Comments

[renatam]

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/01/chris_smith_on_patersons_one_n.html

Chris Smith on Paterson’s One New Friend and Many New Enemies - 1/29/09

...Politically, Paterson has made himself a new best friend in former senator Al D’Amato. (Kirsten Gillibrand was a summer intern in D’Amato’s office and her father is one of D’Amato’s closest friends.) D’Amato has already been shaking the money tree on Paterson’s behalf; on the negative side, he’s an ethically dubious Republican lobbyist in an overwhelmingly Democratic state. A handful of women's groups have also praised Paterson.

[Larkinvos]

This is truly an amazing story.
Paterson wanted to appoint a new senator in the worst way,
and he did.

[cronksty]

Lawrence: have you considered running?

I'm serious. And the Netroots would for-sure have your back.

[ibsteve2u]

"Kirsten Gillibrand"? "Grow up"? lollll...that ain't in the cards.

From "blue dogs" to Gillibrand, the Democratic Party has more moles than a golf course abandoned due to the economy.

[OtayPanky]

Everybody who reads knows that O'Donnell was 100% behind Caroline Kennedy's attempt to get the job, and he's mightily PO'ed right now.

I'm certainly no fan of Hillary Clinton, and don't agree with all of Gillabrand's positions, but she is LIGHT YEARS ahead of CK in terms of readiness for the job.

Unlike CK, who never held a real, full time job in her entire life, Gillabrand has been a hardworking and successful lawyer (advocating for the disenfranchised) and has run two very successful campaigns for congress, dislodging a long-serving repub in a traditionally repub district - and then keeping the seat.

Contrary to what O'Donnell preaches to anyone who'll listen, CK has no one to blame but herself for blowing what was almost a sure thing. If only she had made her request privately.

If voters don't like Gillabrand, or CK is dead set on becoming NY's junior senator, there's a primary coming up very soon. Now let's get over it, and move on.

And no - I am absolutely NOT a Hillary partisan - so I don't have a dog in this fight.

[renatam]

Polls over the weekend are telling. A majority of Republicans in NYS prefer Gillebrand. Wonder why?

[johnnynyc]

Yes, it is curious they support a pro-choice, highly ranked by the ACLU Senator who voted with the Democratic party 93% of the time when in Congress.

Perhaps you're making a big mistake equating NY Republicans with their far-right brethren who control the national party.

[johnnynyc]

The premise that Gillibrand is opposed to Obama's agenda appears to be shaky at best:

"One of her immediate priorities, she said, is making sure the state benefited from President Obama’s $825 billion stimulus plan that is due to come before Congress this week."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28845454/

[renatam]

Upstate, not downstate.

[johnnynyc]

There is no upstate.

There is no downstate.

There is one New York state.

[renatam]

Appearing earlier on "Fox News Sunday," Schumer said he was happy with Paterson's choice but added that Gillibrand's rural district was "more like Montana than New York City."]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090126/ap_on_re_us/ny_senate_seat

This should go over big outside of The Waldorf Astoria in the neighborhoods of NYC, surrounded by PR flacks and their complement of DLC/Neocons, otherwise known as Clinton, Paterson and Schumer (wasn't Lieberman available for brunch today?).

[johnnynyc]

You are aware she worked in Manhattan for years and even held fund raisers on the Upper East Side during her Congressional races, right?

As matter of fact, her Republican opponents tried to paint her as an interloper from Manhattan into upstate politics.

[renatam]

Yes. As a lobbyist for big tobacco and Wall Street (when she didn't mind $1 trillion going for M&A deals and bonues on our dole, adding to the largest budget deficit in history). Fundraisers at Lady Rothshild's (banking family) with Hillary Clinton doesn't translate.

[SteveCox]

I really value Larry O’s analysis. I was never a West Wing fan but O’Donnell’s spot on – realistic analysis of politics is really refreshing. He makes some very good points here and I don’t understand the choice either. But Caroline seemed to be a bad choice as well. She did not appear ready and it would have had a smell of aristocracy if she had got the nod.

I do have a feeling that Gillibrand will change many of her positions now that she is out of her conservative district. I doubt she will buck Obama on the stimulus plan, and if she does, she won’t be around long. Supporting a balanced budget at the Federal level is as dumb as privatizing Social Security. But I have a feeling it was a “gimmick” position.

If she does not change her tune, I really admire Carolyn McCarthy but she may not run if younger Dems step up. Gillibrand is going to have to do some very graceful dancing to move more left without the appearance of expediency, but I think she will find a way to do that and their may be no primary challenge at all in 2 years.

[glorialovelace]

Gillibrand never advocated for privatizing Social Security in any way, in case anybody gets that idea from the phrasing of your comment.

[truthglow]

But the main objective of this little exercise was to not upstage Senator Schumer, and to save the seat for Hillary, in the event she fails as SOS. Caroline Kennedy would not have made either of those objectives possible, because we all know (despite the public bashing by her opponents) that once in, she would have made an exquisite senator and would have reigned for decades. But now Schumer is not upstaged, and Hillary can always come back if she must!

[BBC9nch]

If that's true then Caroline should be able challenge for the senate seat in 2010 when there will be special elections held.

[glorialovelace]

How can the seat be saved for Hillary? Is the holder of the seat expected to step away from it in the event Hillary fails as SoS? I'm unable to imagine the script for what you are suggesting.

[renatam]

Hillary Clinton has to LEAVE before she tries to come back. She was brunching at The Waldorf Astoria talking NY politics today - promoted by local PR hacks and doing a photo-op for our new Junior Senator who didn't know the Waldorf wasn't Greenwich Village, probably.

HRC, SOS, needs to be recalled to Washington by President Obama. Afghanistan isn't at The Waldorf. Ridiculous. And, Hillary isn't CEO of Clinton Inc. of NYC -- yet -- as far as I know. That's Bill's job.

[renatam]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01252009/news/regionalnews/kennedys_livid_as_gov_asked_caroline_to__151951.htm

Among Paterson's offenses was a request that Caroline lie about her unexpected withdrawal for "personal" reasons, according to NY magazine.

"You can't withdraw. You've got to stay in this thing, and I'll just not pick you," Paterson reportedly told her over the phone late Wednesday.

Then a torrent of ugly rumors spilled from Paterson's office about Caroline's taxes, about her nanny, even about the state of her marriage - and Camelot's seeking payback, confidants said.

"I'm sure the family is going to protect her," one source said. "What did Caroline do to deserve getting dragged through the mud?"

[glorialovelace]

Remember, none of this is sourced with real names of actual people.

And take it from One Who Knows, Murdoch reporters sometimes use the person sitting at the next desk as a "source."

I'm not kidding about this.

[GOBsaysCOMEON]

You can't have any dissent within your political party. It isn't healthy for your "team". This belief worked wonderfully for the Republicans for 8 years.

[JJK]

Lawrence:

After reading dozens of posts on this thread, I think that you should use the Soapbox that your notariety gives you with more care and discretion. This is a time when we need to get together behind our leaders and save the intra-party sniping and broadsides for an elecoral cycle. I think that your piece runs in the face of the spirit of what President Obama asked for in his Inaugural adddress.

As a highly visible supporter of Ms. Kennedy's candidacy, you have stirred up a lot of hostility against a person who managed a remarkable political feat in her home district (twice) and who has garnered Union and ACLU support, despite some positions that are out of the Progressive Mainstream, but which she will now have an ample opportunity to discuss with and defend to voters. The "fact base" of your piece is a Bill that Gillibrand helped introduce 20 months ago and which I doubt she would propose today.

Respectfully.

[renatam]

It is naive and insulting to make Lawrence O'Donnell somehow responsible for the mismanagement of the signature decision of our accidental Governor's tenure in Office -- and further responsible for those of us who have our own perspective about our signature rights to representation that reflects our interests -- at this pivotal time in American history.

Some of us agree with Mr. O'Donnell and believe that the PROCESS is as important as the decision. We voted for CHANGE at the national level to usher in an era of transparency and accountability by our elected officials. Lawrence O'Donnell isn't responsible for this zeitgeist. President Barack Obama is responsible.

This PROCESS was/is tainted. The result is the opposite of what New Yorkers would have voted for, since we are not a Conservative State -- and this choice represents the opposite of President Obama's agenda of purging the undue influence of lobbyists on our Government.

Americans of every stripe are focused and active. I have an ankle sprain and some time this week. While the NYT and PR spun PRESS were duped, I was not. Neither was Lawrence. Now they have realized they were part of this toxic process and manipulated by a cunning, wiley accidental gossiping-at-parties Governor - not ready for primetime, himself.

I do not challenge anyone's opinions -- or the right to express them in any way they choose. I question those who try to do so - and their reasons at this time in our history.

[JJK]

First of all, Lawrence is a big enough boy to defend himself.

Secondly, I didn't criticize his evaluation of Paterson, which was fair, but rather his piling on Gillibrand about a piece of legislation that she introduced 20 months ago, before the climate changed dramatically and issues were seriously refocused. My only point has been that she should have a chance to answer questions about that legislation and indicate whether she still thinks it is prudent.

Third, I feel strongly that people like Mr. O'Donnell, who have held positions of privilege by working for a giant like Daniel Patrick Moynihan (whom I am proud to have known) should be held to a higher standard when it comes to uniting behind the common and daunting task which lies before us. His heritage suggests that he should know better than to play to raw passion as he did in that post.

[renatam]

Governor Paterson picked someone who meets his (low) standards and doesn't challenge his insecurities, which are many. Ditto, his ego - for having accomplished nothing more than ascended via his daddy to the Harlem Clubhouse patronage system for legacies - aka George W. Bush in TX -- or Andrew Cuomo. Some of us don't like this one bit. We are taxpayers and will be very active ensuring both the Governor's Office and both NY Senators -- finally serve New Yorkers and not Wall Street and whatever agenda(s) Al D'Amato and Ms. Gillebrand's daddy have in mind.

Sorry.

The NY PRESS propaganda machine got it dead wrong and are now self-correcting w/a little investigative reporting they should have done all along - rather than let PR HACKS (high priced) from competitors and the Governors Press Office and AG's spin them. Lawrence and others could smell a rat. If you don't share our views, fine. Ignore them. The truth will out. It isn't taking long.

[glorialovelace]

Point-for-point, and item-for-item, Gillibrand's credentials make Caroline's look like cho pped liver.

Those would include Gillibrand's credentials as a lawyer, as an experienced politician whose constituents think she's wonderful, her educational credentials, her ability at public speaking, and her obvious willingness to be out there with the people whose voice she is in Washington.

[Bozwellian]

The "remarkable" pick from uptate NY will NOT likely be able to hold come 2010 for she is recognized as NOT being other than too similar to a JOE LIEBERMAN "dem" due to her preferred positon on many issues. She aligns more with her family roots which ARE GOPERITED , is in her core beingness !!! The dirt gamed at CKS was payback by Clinton factions and others...the C's encouraged it and were not about to let the opportunity slip by them !!!

[glorialovelace]

It was the people -- you know, folks who live in the State of New York who would have been stuck with that skill-challenged princess as their senator -- who didn't want Caroline.

Poll after poll demonstrated that, with Caroline's figures growing progressively worse. It had nothing to do with family feuds, or revenge or any of those soap opera-ish scripts that are so beloved of people who spend their days idly.

[stradanuova]

Lawrence Has stirred up hostility against Gillibrand??? Wow - she has a completely indefensible record and she is a neophyte to boot. Wasn't that the rap against Caroline Kennedy? And did you object the the venomous attacks on her? And no - 2 years as a back bencher in the House after a career spent representing tobacco companies and Wall Street firms does not make Gillibrand worthy of a Senate appointment. There are innumerable possibilities who are more worthy of this appointment in terms of both resume and core political values.

[cgk]

thank you! well said!!

[glorialovelace]

How is her record "completely indefensible" if she's voted with the Democrats 93 percent of the time, is for gay marriage, etc etc?

And pretending that Gillibrand's experience is in any way equivalent to Kennedy's is simply sophistry.

[renatam]

More from our ungentlemanly, not ready for primetime, egomaniacal, machiavellian, classless accidental Governor:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01242009/news/regionalnews/gov_says_caroline_turned_nasty_151614.htm

Gov. Paterson rapped Caroline Kennedy at a private event the night before he tapped Kirsten Gillibrand for the Senate, telling guests Kennedy had been "nasty" to him and shown "disrespect" with how she bowed out, attendees told The Post.

The governor's attack came just hours after his office issued a statement wishing her well and disavowing quotes from a source close to him who had told The Post Kennedy had never been in true contention for the seat and was "mired" in personal issues.

[JJK]

Trying to step back here. I think we all know where you stand on Paterson. Fine. He's made many mistakes and is open to criticism. He'll have to face the voters.

What about the larger issues? Was Caroline Kennedy the best choice? I supported her until she stepped in it with the media and voters, dropping dramatically in the polls in a matter of weeks. After her introduction, I concluded she was fully qualified to run for Senate but not to be appointed. I hope she does run next year so we can form a fair opinion of her.

My choice was my Congressperson, Carolyn Maloney. I thought she would bring a tough, seasoned voice to the table. She has represented us well both on the City Council and in Washington.

I thought Andrew Cuomo was the logical choice; here I will speculate. I think a deal was brokered between Paterson and the Kennedys. She withdrew and saved him the problem of going against the President. In return, he promised to appoint ABC (Anybody But Cuomo) to Robert Kennedy's seat. The rest, including the reports you cite, are atmospherics and will be forgotten in a few weeks.

As for Gillibrand. Despite my defense of her, I am surprised at the pick. I am only arguing that we should give her a chance. She didn't get her Union Support and 100% ACLU rating by being a raving Dittohead. Let's see what she does in the next few months.

[renatam]

No more lobbyists from tribes and cartels of generational lobbyists, ambushing citizens whose only crime is to campaign for a new (anti-lobbyist) President at a pivotal juncture. Spitzer was selected to clean up the nest of lobbyists in Albany.

This former Bois Schiller lobbyist has already been at work. Two Bois Schiller partners --donated $25K each to Paterson's Campaign since late December 2008. Wonder how much Al D'Amato and Joe Bruno kicked in?

And so it goes...

Nothing personal. Quite simple. No more lobbyists. CHANGE.

[renatam]

Yet in two months politics in New York devolved from dysfunctional to chaotic, tarnishing every major player involved. And sometimes it seemed that David Paterson wanted it exactly that way. His style of governance, a dizzy mix of ingratiation and trickeration, has turned what could have been a moment of triumph—a powerful new ally in the Senate, a relationship with President Obama—into a slapstick fiasco, a fitting sequel to the way Paterson got the job in the first place. Politics is often a contest of half-truths, where the winner is the best bullshitter. But thanks to Paterson and a cast of dozens, the fight to become the next senator became instead a world-class festival of lies.

http://nymag.com/news/politics/53618/