NY-Sen: Nadler Endorses Gillibrand

by: robert.harding

Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 10:18:45 AM EST

Representative Jerrold Nadler announced today that he is endorsing Gillibrand, calling her a "great partner on many progressive causes" and praising her for the work she has done on a number of issues, including the issues important to the LGBT community and fighting for a public option.

"From protecting a woman's right to choose and standing up for issues of pressing concern to the LGBT community, to fighting for a robust public health insurance option and protecting our environment by working to reduce harmful emissions, Kirsten Gillibrand has been a great partner on many progressive causes," Congressman Nadler said. "We have worked closely together to provide our 9/11 heroes and affected community members with the health care and compensation they deserve, and on a variety of other issues facing our State and the Nation. New Yorkers want and need Kirsten on their side and I'm proud to endorse her for U.S. Senate."

Nadler's endorsement gives Gillibrand endorsements from 17 members of the 27 Democratic representatives that make up the New York congressional delegation.

The full list is below (I did not include Nadler, since this post is about his endorsement):

•Congressman Michael Arcuri (NY-24)
•Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-11)
•Congressman Joe Crowley (NY-7)
•Congressman Eliot Engel (NY-17)
•Congressman John Hall (NY-19)
•Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27)
•Congressman Maurice Hinchey (NY-22)
•Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY-18)
•Congressman Dan Maffei (NY-25)
•Congressman Eric Massa (NY-29)
•Congressman Michael McMahon (NY-13)
•Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-6)
•Congressman Scott Murphy (NY-20)
•Congressman Ed Towns (NY-10)
•Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (NY-12)
•Congressman Anthony Weiner (NY-9)

One of the findings in the Marist poll was that 59 percent of Democrats who were surveyed said that they would support Gillibrand while 84 percent of Republicans said they would support Giuliani. The huge commitment by Republicans to support Giuliani is just how the Republican Party: When it is time to support their candidate, they usually do (See Scozzafava, Dede for an example of what happens when they don't). That strong support helps give Giuliani a 14 point lead in the poll. Everyone considers it a "weak" showing by Gillibrand, but I see it as a weak showing among Democrats who, almost a year after her appointment, are ignoring Gillibrand's record in the Senate and instead are looking for some reason to dislike her because of what she was in the past (a Blue Dog Democrat from a conservative district in upstate New York).

When looking at Gillibrand, it is easy to look at the past. You want an example of looking at the present and future? Look at why Nadler endorsed her. He made it clear: She is a partner on progressive issues. Her record as a U.S. senator has shown that and instead of just using her time as a Blue Dog and other ridiculous things against her, we should take the time to acknowledge the great work she is doing as a U.S. senator.

SD-25: Nadler On Schumer's "Personal Loyalty"

by: robert.harding

Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 14:47:09 PM EDT

Nadler: Schumer Puts 'Personal Friendship Over Everything Else'

At a press conference on the City Hall steps just now, incumbent State Senator Marty Connor was endorsed by the five members of Congress whose districts overlap with his: Ed Towns, Nydia Velazquez, Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler. (Yvette Clarke is endorsing him too, but did not attend).

Afterward, I asked the group what they think of Chuck Schumer's support of Connor's opponent, Dan Squadron.

Nadler, the only one to answer the question, offered the following:

"Well, Chuck is entitled to put considerations of personal friendship over everything else that we have talked about, and he's said that's exactly what he has done. Marty's opponent worked for Chuck, is the co-author of his book with him, and I understand a personal loyalty," Nadler said.

"Chuck also said that Marty didn't support him in the primary 15, 10 years ago. He's entitled to make endorsements on the basis he wishes. But I think we're making an endorsement, not on the basis of [who] supported whom ten years ago, or who worked for who, or who is a personal friend, but who we believe is the most progressive, and the most activist, most effective senator for this district."

I wouldn't go as far as saying that Nadler took a shot at Schumer there, although it could be viewed in that light. But all Nadler is saying is that Schumer puts personal relationships over everything else every time. That might be a bad thing but it also could be a good thing, depending on your viewpoint.

This primary is going to be an intense one. Connor has a lot of backing from incumbent Democrats. Squadron has the backing of one of the most prominent incumbent Democrats in the state.  

You can watch the video of Nadler's remarks here.

SD-25: Connor Endorsed By Five Congressmembers

by: robert.harding

Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 12:19:22 PM EDT

Connor was endorsed today by Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Rep. Nydia Velázquez and Rep. Edolphus Towns. Towns, who is in a primary of his own with Kevin Powell, could not attend the press conference today announcing these endorsements.

Incumbent Democrats have been rallying around Connor, including Democrats at the state level. Last week, Connor was endorsed by Sen. Liz Krueger, Sen. Eric Schneiderman, Sen. Thomas Duane, Sen. Velmanette Montgomery, Sen. Eric Adams and Sen. Martin Dilan. There have also been fundraisers for Connor that have featured many state officials.

Squadron has a big endorsement in his back pocket though. Sen. Chuck Schumer has backed Squadron and notified Connor that he would do so at the DRC convention in April.

More on the Connor endorsements to come.

UPDATE: There was a fifth congressmember to come out and support Connor. Rep. Yvette Clarke also endorsed Connor today.

Here is more on the endorsements today from the press release:

"Marty Connor has my full support for re-election in the Democratic Primary Election. I have worked hand in hand with him on behalf of our constituents on the Lower East Side and in Brooklyn. He is always there fighting for NYCHA residents and tenants. He can always be counted on to stand up for the progressive positions on all the issues. I will be working very hard to insure his re-election. Our constituents need him to continue as their Senator in Albany." - Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez

"Marty Connor has well served our shared constituents in Lower Manhattan, Tribeca and SoHo. After 9/11 we worked jointly to care for the immediate needs of our residents who were in need of assistance and together he joined me in challenging the federal and local governments' false assurances about the environment in Lower Manhattan and the inadequacy of the clean-up. Having served with him in Albany and then as the Congressman representing part of his district I know first-hand of his commitment to progressive politics. I endorse his re-election in the Democratic Primary without reservation."
- Congressman Jerrold Nadler

More praise for Connor from Maloney, Towns and Clarke below the fold.