NY-Sen: Sen. Bob Menendez On Israel's Decision Not To Run

This sucks (4.00 / 1)

That's all I have.

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by: jacksonian dem @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 09:16:27 AM CDT

Jack (4.00 / 1)

Why do you feel that way? I think it makes perfect sense. Yes, everyone is entitled to primary Gillibrand, but considering the fiscal condition of NY (and everywhere else), it would be extremely costly and would divert a lot of energy and effort from solving innumerable problems we face. No matter who won, it would remove a strong representative from office, and create openings for GOP challengers. I want to see thes reps collaborate and maximize their efforts statewide.

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by: fran20 @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 09:47:01 AM CDT

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Americans don't suspend democracy because of crises. (4.00 / 2)

In the aftermath of 9/11, Rudy Giuliani advocated for delaying the 2001 elections in NYC because of the attacks.

This obviously did not happen, because democracy moves forward in all conditions: During the Civil War, during the Great Depression, during World War II, &c.

Using our financial crisis to protect incumbents merely because they are incumbents tied to the power structure is a terrible argument for any candidate, not just for Gillibrand. It should be beneath us.

Moreover, it is silly to argue that Gillibrand is the only one who can manage this situation. Some might even argue that her close ties with NYC bankers might even be a problem.

I'd like a choice in the 2010 elections, either way.

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by: Hudson @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 13:14:50 PM CDT

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Okay, what "close ties with NYC bankers"? (0.00 / 0)

She's a lawyer from Albany. Oh, and need I remind you she opposed the bailout of Wall Street investment banks?

Anyway, I'm pretty sure that the fiscal condition that's being referred to is the New York State budget.  

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by: Adama @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 14:00:01 PM CDT

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What close ties to NYC bankers? (4.00 / 1)

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by: nrafter530 @ Mon May 18, 2009 at 13:47:39 PM CDT

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"It's about better Dems" (0.00 / 0)

As Kos has said for years, get any Dem where we don't have them and once they are there--get better ones.

Unless they are real mudslingers like (NY SEN 92)the victorious candidate always emerges stronger.  

Israel has evolved--not flipped, like Gillibrand--over a 5+ year period from Lieberman lite to a true progressive on EFCA, FISA, War supplemental and every important measure of the past few years.  She hasn't been there consistently.  I get the "Rep'ing for your District" and all but that's really the point. Is she the person who voted that way for 2 years or is she this new thing that came out of the West Side of Manhattan?

Really, I think she's someone who is told to stay out of Schumer's way and otherwise, pick up his laundry and she's OK with that.

However, it's not so much that she's an OK choice, it's that Steve would have been an exceptional one.

At this point in my life, I've seen too many politico's come and go who stand for nothing other than what it takes to get them through the next election.

Steve, who I have met many times in both large and small settings is one who would be a real leader.

As for the impact on his current seat-- Jon Cooper, an openly gay recently married in CT, real progressive, Suffolk Co. Leg. Majority leader would take it with no sweat.  He was the only NY pol of any standing to back Obama when it was mandatory to line up behind Hillary.  That shows guts and foresight.

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by: jacksonian dem @ Sun May 17, 2009 at 18:11:32 PM CDT

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"Better" dems aren't worth it (0.00 / 0)

if the end result is a Republican gets elected.

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by: Amherst Guy @ Sun May 17, 2009 at 20:18:23 PM CDT

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Obama has apparently already forgotten ... (4.00 / 2)

... that if candidates had heeded the calls from members of the party establishment in 2006-2008, Hillary Clinton would have run unopposed for the Democratic nomination and Obama would not be president.

Democracy is healthy for the country and can actually strengthen a political party. It often generates better candidates than those who run unopposed, who are not toughened up in the primary, and who may tend to take their "base" for granted.

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by: Hudson @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 13:37:49 PM CDT

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He also seems to have forgotten (0.00 / 0)

That Blair Hull was the preferred candidate in Illinois in 2004.

Someone will emerge.  Gillibrand is no lightweight, but if she were in a straight primary for this office, I doubt she could win or would even run.

Primaries make candidates stronger and better - and I think she will benefit from a challenge and from further scrutiny.

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by: Lead Dog @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 23:22:55 PM CDT

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More costly to Democrats would be... (0.00 / 0)

... blindly lining up behind a candidate who current polls behind George Elmer Pataki.

That would be Gillibrand, by the way. 8 points behind freakin' Pataki.

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by: Hudson @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 13:15:58 PM CDT

Hudson... (4.00 / 2)

I know that you are a smart guy. And I know that you know that polls at this stage are nothing but measures of name recognition. Gillibrand polling behind a guy who is two-plus years removed from being governor of New York is nothing that surprises me. She has been a U.S. senator for nearly four months. The whole state isn't going to know who she is.

As Gillibrand travels around the state, which is a priority of hers, she will continue to meet with voters who probably don't know who she is. Once they know, they will support her, especially if they are Democrats.

I know that Gillibrand has made the rounds in Buffalo and Rochester over the last couple of weeks. I know that there are people out there who didn't know who she was or weren't going to vote her for before who are now supporters.

Give her some time. Give her a few more months. Once the summer gets into gear, she will be able to travel the state. Then she will be able to reach more of the population and I know that her poll numbers will rise.  

Support our troops, not the war.

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by: robert.harding @ Sun May 17, 2009 at 15:16:42 PM CDT

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Don't worry.. (0.00 / 0)

After Senator Gillibrand spends $20-$25M in TV ads during her upcoming campaign everyone in New York wil know who she is.

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by: hawkny @ Mon May 18, 2009 at 06:15:11 AM CDT

Stimulus plan (0.00 / 0)

That will be Kirsten's personal economic stimulus plan for the upstate economy.  Perhaps a primary would be a good idea for purely econmic reasons.

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by: tomman77 @ Mon May 18, 2009 at 09:20:46 AM CDT

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I hope that that money is used wisely. (0.00 / 0)

That's an enormous chunk of change out of Democratic coffers, stuff that could be used to be hammering Republican congressmen like Lee. I don't deny the need for Gillibrand's spending, but I do hope that they make sure to use it in ways that overlap and benefit other campaigns too, whenever possible. Field ops, events, lit-dropping, etcetera.  

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by: Adama @ Mon May 18, 2009 at 10:07:30 AM CDT

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