President Obama On Senator To Be Gillibrand

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Other Politics
Posted on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 04:24:57 PM EST
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Via Taylor Marsh:

Governor Paterson made a wonderful choice in appointing Kirsten Gillibrand to fill Secretary Clinton’s seat in the United States Senate. I am confident that she will continue Secretary Clinton’s distinguished service to the people of New York and to our country. During her career, Kirsten has been a strong voice for transparency and reform in government and shares the belief that government should be open, accessible and work for all of our citizens. In Congress and as special counsel for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, she worked to strengthen public and private partnerships to invest in infrastructure and New York’s economy.

At this time of great challenge, I know that Kirsten has the integrity, character, and dedication to public service to help us achieve our greatest goals," said President Obama.

Sounds like a bunch of hooey to me. Gillibrand must be "persuaded" to be a more progressive pol. But President Obama is a pol too.

Speaking for me only

< Gillibrand And Progressives: A Primary Challenge And A Focus On Issues | Friday Afternoon Open Thread >

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President Obama On Senator To Be Gillibrand | 18 comments (18 topical)

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Heh (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by Steve M on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 04:57:05 PM EST

Of course it's a bunch of hooey! What else is he gonna say?

: "Thank you for (none / 0) (#14)
by Intrepid One on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 05:52:22 PM EST

giving me the centrist of my choice"

[ Parent ]

It reads like a bunch of blahblahblah. (5.00 / 0) (#5)
by byteb on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 04:57:23 PM EST

Well, he didn't say she was progressive... (none / 0) (#1)
by Jerrymcl89 on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 04:39:08 PM EST

I don't think Obama had a dog in the fight once the Kennedy option died on the vine, so I'm sure he's just saying what he can find to say nice about her.

I'm sure Gillibrand knows she needs to move at least somewhat to the left to stave off a primary challenge, whether that's where her "true positions" actually lie or not (I'm not sure politicians actually have true positions at all). So she should be relatively acceptable.

Well, Obama isn't (5.00 / 0) (#3)
by dk on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 04:40:55 PM EST

a progressive either, so why would he have said that other than as an insult?

[ Parent ]

Sure (none / 0) (#2)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 04:39:47 PM EST

He is being a pol.

My point exactly.

[ Parent ]

: I will never forget (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by ThatOneVoter on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 04:59:19 PM EST

the slight that Caroline whatshername got from Paterson and Obama---never!!

[ Parent ]

Are you kidding? (none / 0) (#13)
by Intrepid One on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 05:49:23 PM EST

Obama had no dog in the fight? Obama got exactly who he wanted. I hope there is not a person here who doesn't think that Obama's people, if not Obama himself, were working the phones to Patterson to strongly influence the pick. And of course with NY needing so much of the stimulus money Patterson was only glad to comply. Wink wink.

Come to think of it did the centrist Obama throw the Progressive Kennedy under the bus as he has done to so many people the last two years? Sure is looking that way. If Obama would have wanted Kennedy he would have gotten Kennedy. But Obama doesn't always reward dedication and loyalty in kind as we have all come to know.

[ Parent ]

Surely you (5.00 / 2) (#17)
by JThomas on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 06:43:40 PM EST

are jesting. Obama would turn on Ted and Caroline Kennedy? Think again. Gillibrand was Hillary's choice as Bill and her campaigned for her.
Obama evidently cannot win..if Caroline had gotten it then you would accuse him of pushing his favorite into the seat, and when she does not get it, he throws her under the bus.
What a joke!

[ Parent ]

: My point... (none / 0) (#18)
by Jerrymcl89 on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 07:15:23 PM EST

... was that I think Obama didn't care much after Caroline was out. I'm sure he didn't work against her. It's possible he quietly lobbied for Gillibrand as a second choice, but I don't really have any reason to think that.

[ Parent ]

But the Gillibrand pick (none / 0) (#16)
by BackFromOhio on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 05:56:40 PM EST

also serves Paterson's goals to a tee, i.e., he was looking to nominate someone from upstate to help him with his upcoming run for Governor and someone who is moderate enough to appeal to the upstate constituency.

[ Parent ]

Tongue Kiss To Paterson (none / 0) (#6)
by squeaky on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 04:58:55 PM EST

Blech... (none / 0) (#20)
by weltec2 on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 10:02:44 PM EST

speaking for yourself, of course.

[ Parent ]

: No (none / 0) (#21)
by squeaky on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 10:06:47 PM EST

Just trying to be poetic.

[ Parent ]

"Persuaded"? (none / 0) (#8)
by chezmadame on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 05:04:19 PM EST

It sounds thuggish.

I watched the WHOLE announcement ... (none / 0) (#9)
by Robot Porter on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 05:18:06 PM EST

presser. She has one senatorial gift down already.

She can talk and talk and talk and talk ...

And say very little.

;)

Caroline clearly (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by BernieO on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 05:21:38 PM EST

couldn't even do that.

[ Parent ]

: Heh ... (none / 0) (#11)
by Robot Porter on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 05:22:54 PM EST

true.

[ Parent ]
: That would (none / 0) (#15)
by Intrepid One on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 05:54:48 PM EST

have been a refreshing change.

[ Parent ]

Not fair (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by Alien Abductee on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 05:32:23 PM EST

She had a lot to say about the extreme awesomeness of the powerbrokers who've helped her along the way. I predict a bright future for her...

[ Parent ]

: Paterson and Gillibrand (none / 0) (#19)
by MTSINAIMAMA on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 09:32:10 PM EST

I have one word....PHEW!

[ Parent ]