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President Obama On Senator To Be Gillibrand

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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    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?

    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
    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
    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!!

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    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.

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    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...

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    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