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| Schumer the unseen hand in NY Senate choice |
| 2009-01-25 |
| Democratic insiders say the selection of Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to fill New York's vacant U.S. Senate seat showed the pivotal influence of senior Sen. Charles Schumer. Gov. David Paterson selected the little-known congresswoman over candidates Caroline Kennedy, backed by President Barack Obama and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Andrew Cuomo, backed by Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Bill Clinton. But at the news conference introducing Paterson's choice Friday, one big smile gave it all away, and it was on the Schumer's face. "Schumer was pushing her, he was really pushing," said a Democrat on Saturday who was told by Paterson that Schumer favored Gillibrand. The Democrat was familiar with the inner workings of Paterson's selection but spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly about the process. Schumer insisted he was neutral in the seven weeks since the Senate seat was opened by Hillary Clinton's secretary of state nomination. "Each one of them would make an excellent senator," Schumer said in December, declaring he would not back any individual. Publicly, Paterson's process was, by all accounts, moving toward a coronation for Kennedy, daughter of slain President John F. Kennedy. She was praised by Bloomberg and by Obama, whom she had given an early and critical endorsement in last year's presidential primaries. But internally, Paterson always had Gillibrand high on his list. And by the time he attended Tuesday's inauguration of Obama, Paterson started to focus on her, according to the Democrat who spoke Saturday. She had been inspired by Hillary Clinton, worked on the former first lady's 2000 Senate campaign, and has many of the same qualities: Unflappable, a bright and focused attorney, a work horse in devouring information on issues, and well-schooled in the retail politics that gets New Yorkers elected. Then came Wednesday. Back in New York, a chaotic few hours began in the afternoon with Kennedy's viability as the front-runner questioned, then dashed. Kennedy told Paterson she was rethinking her interest in the seat. She mentioned a new and pressing personal issue. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #8 Jack's initial comment is 1/2 correct - as a rep. she's all that, but as a senator, Schumer will guide her to the left, if she needs guidance at all. She's likely simply to "grow" in office, and the 2nd amendment position is the easiest to jettison for a democrat to evolve away from. Barring catastrophe, she's liable to be in office 4 or 5 terms. Three catastrophes could stop her - 1) personal - ethics/finance/taxes etc. 2) the NY dems fracture galore as others note 3) she's less than meets the eye and serendipity throws a good GOP candidate at her in a GOP election cycle. I'd take #3 over the first two. |
| Posted by: Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division 2009-01-25 23:10 |
| #7 Well, guess we're stuck with the losers. |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2009-01-25 14:17 |
| #6 To run myself or to support someone? There are a couple reasons I won't run for any public office. But there may be ways for me to support others. |
| Posted by: lotp 2009-01-25 13:46 |
| #5 Lotp, are there any possibilities for you among the various special elections and party primaries? |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2009-01-25 13:17 |
| #4 Half has it right. Spitzer and his NYC power base were in the process of deeply alienating upstate NY Dems when the feds arrested him, although upstate helped elect him in the first place based on his image of going after fat cats in the city. His successor, Paterson, got the job by default and will have to run to keep the seat. His base among Blacks isn't enough to win - he needs upstate support and between now and then the state must finally face its precarious financial position and take some painful steps that will hit the economically less well off upstate population hard. Paterson is hoping Schumer brings home some federal aid. Also, FWIW, Cuomo may not be Teddy's favorite little girl - and he's certainly more accomplished than Caroline - but he used to be married to a Kennedy and is deeply linked to the Clintons. Gillibrand is clean, well respected and moderate -- and she isn't owned by any of the Manhattan cliques. It's a shame Andrew isn't half the relatively principled politician his father was. There's lots not to like about Mario Cuomo's policies as NY gov, but he was and is a decent person. Andrew reeks of ambition and power climbing. |
| Posted by: lotp 2009-01-25 13:03 |
| #3 Maybe Doc. But I'll wager it's a shed load more complex than that. Fractures in the NY Democratic party of some variety... maybe the Gov. is buying some sort of insurance. Dunno. |
| Posted by: .5MT 2009-01-25 12:53 |
| #2 Ah, but Chuckie is always concerned about being overshadowed. He wants someone who knows his/her place as the JUNIOR senator from Neu Yalk, dammit, and that's what he's going to get. Hillary? Didn't know her place. Caroline? She's a princess, dammit. Kirsten what's-her-name? Perfect. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2009-01-25 11:14 |
| #1 Knowing Schumer and his politics, I find this very hard to believe. She is a very conservative Democrat - pro-gun, pro-tax cuts and anti-TARP. Where there does Schumer fit? Nowhere. In fact, with her reputation for being a self-starter, assertive and confident door slammer Schumer should be watching his back. |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2009-01-25 10:39 |