The people of the 29th Congressional District are without a representative, thanks to Eric Massa. Massa's resignation leaves the district without a vote, and while this happens on occasion in the House of Representatives, it's not an ideal situation.
In response, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand made it known today that her office will be on hand to assist with any issues citizens of the 29th might be having.
From a press release:
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today assured families and businesses in New York's 29th District that while they wait for new representation in the House of Representatives, she will make it a top priority to make sure local communities in the district are getting their fair share of federal dollars, that all casework is being handled efficiently and effectively, and constituents receive all the help they need navigating federal bureaucracies.
"As I told Corning residents last week at Spencer's Restaurant, I will continue to fight tooth and nail to ensure the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes region receives its fair share from the federal resources and constituents get all the help they need," said Senator Gillibrand, who spent time meeting with local leaders, businesses and families in Corning, New York last week. "My number one priority is creating jobs and getting our economy back on track - that means securing the critical federal dollars for infrastructure, research, and job training programs. I will continue to work with local leaders and organizations throughout the 29th district to secure federal funding through grants, appropriations and the recovery act."
Voters in the 29th Congressional District will be able to select a new Representative if the Governor decides to call a special election in the next 45 days.
Senator Gillibrand's local staff is available to take questions and concerns from constituents in the area, and help them with issues they may be having with the federal government.
For those in the 29th, you can contact Gillibrand's Rochester office by calling (585) 263-6250 or at the following address:
Kenneth B. Keating Federal Office Building
100 State Street
Room 4195
Rochester, NY
Today, as we celebrate the 37th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, women still have to fight to protect their rights. That is why almost two hundred women's rights advocates and concerned citizens have signed this open letter to Harold Ford, Jr. letting him know that he will not get away with covering up his anti-choice record as he explores a Senate run against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
If you'd like to add your name to the list of signers, please sign your name at the ipetition here.
Full text of the letter and the list of signers is over the fold.
Jon Cooper has been pondering a primary challenge to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for months now. In an interviewed I conducted with him in the fall, he outlined a number of reasons why he would mount such a challenge while adding that he would make a decision on whether or not to run by year's end.
Today, Cooper held a press conference announcing the he will not run against Gillibrand. In addition, he announced that he is endorsing Gillibrand for Senate believing her to be the best candidate for the job.
In a tweet, Gillibrand said she was "honored" by the endorsement.
I am honored to receive the endorsement of one of Long Island's great leaders and champions of LGBT rights, Majority Leader Jon Cooper.
Cooper was considered a long-shot candidate because he would enter the race trying to make the leap from county legislator to U.S Senate. He would be in a better position than Jonathan Tasini, but still would face long odds.
Cooper's exit means that no elected officials from New York will face Gillibrand (unless something changes over the next several months).
It is because of her advocacy and support in the U.S. Senate that the LGBT community considers her a friend. Today, the Human Rights Campaign endorsed Gillibrand.
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, announced today the endorsement of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in the 2010 U.S. Senate race. Gillibrand is the first U.S. Senator from New York to support full marriage equality for same-sex couples.
"Senator Gillibrand has emerged as one of the strongest advocates in the Senate for full equality for the LGBT community," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "From her personal lobbying of the New York legislature in support of marriage rights to helping garner support for a Senate hearing on repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' Gillibrand has time and again stood for fairness for all."
"I am very honored to once again have the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign," said Sen. Gillibrand. "Equality, civil rights, and equal justice for the LGBT community must be a clarion call for our party and our generation. This is the civil rights march of our generation. We must continue to push every day to repeal DADT, repeal DOMA, and provide equal protections in the work place for all Americans. There is far more support for our cause than people realize. Let's continue working together to write a new chapter of equality in this country."
Here are some key points regarding Gillibrand's record on LGBT issues:
• Support of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples;
• Helping lead efforts to repeal the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy of the U.S. military. At Sen. Gillibrand's urging, the Senate Armed Services Committee announced it would hold the first hearing on the policy in 15 years;
• Cosponsor of the fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA);
• Cosponsored and voted for the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act;
• Supports full repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.;
• Cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act, to allow same-sex couples in bi-national relationships to sponsor a partner for legal immigration to the U.S.;
• Opposes amending the U.S. Constitution to discriminate, including opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment;
• Cosponsor of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act; and
• Cosponsor of Early Treatment for HIV Act.
This is a big endorsement from the LGBT community. Getting the support of HRC shows that Gillibrand has been a great advocate for the LGBT community in the U.S. Senate and recognizes her past work in the House. Her support of equal rights is important, especially in New York, as we have our own fight for marriage equality brewing and having a sitting U.S. senator from our state out in front on these issues helps the pro-equality movement.
We all know that a strong robust public option is necessary. It is needed because there are those without insurance who need help. While it is nice to talk about lowering costs, eliminating the ability of insurance companies to use preexisting conditions against you and other priorities, a public option is important. If we are going to achieve real reform, a strong public option needs to be in the final bill.
That's why 30 Democratic senators wrote a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) urging that any health care reform bill in the Senate includes a strong robust public option.
Here's the letter:
Dear Majority Leader Reid:
We have spent the better part of this year fighting for health reform that would provide insurance access and continuity to every American in a fiscally responsible manner. We are concerned that - absent a competitive and continuous public insurance option - health reform legislation will not produce nationwide access and ongoing cost containment. For that reason, we are asking for your leadership on ensuring that the merged health reform bill contains a public insurance option.
As it stands, the health insurance market is dominated by a handful of for-profit health insurers that are exempt from the anti-trust laws that ensure robust competition in other markets across the United States. Without a not-for-profit public insurance alternative that competes with these insurers based on premium rates and quality, insurers will have free rein to increase insurance premiums and drive up the cost of federal subsidies tied to those premiums. This is simply not fiscally sustainable.
We recognize that the two Committees with jurisdiction over health reform - the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee - have taken two very different approaches with respect to this issue. However, a strong public option has resounding support among Senate Democrats - every Democrat on HELP, three quarters of those on Finance, and what we believe is a majority of the caucus.
The Senate Finance Committee included a cooperative approach to insurance market competition. While promoting more co-ops may be a worthy goal, it is not realistic to expect local co-ops to spring up in every corner of this country. There are many areas of the country where the population is simply too small to sustain a local co-op plan. We are also concerned that the administrative costs associated with financing the start-up of multiple co-op plans would far outstrip the seed money required to establish a public health insurance program.
Opponents of health reform argue that a public option presents unfair competition to the private insurance companies. However, it is possible to create a public health insurance option that is modeled after private insurance - rates are negotiated and providers are not required to participate in the plan. As you know, this is the Senate HELP Committee's approach. The major differences between the public option and for-profit plans are that the public plan would report to taxpayers, not to shareholders, and the public plan would be available continuously in all parts of the country. The number one goal of health reform must be to look out for the best interests of the American people - patients and taxpayers alike - not the profit margins of insurance companies.
Health reform is about improving access to health care, containing costs, and giving Americans a real choice in the insurance plan best suited to their needs. We urge you to fight for a sustainable health care system that ensures Americans the option of a public plan in the merged Senate bill.
Among the 30 senators who called for the public option to be included is Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. She was joined by the following senators:
Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH); John D. Rockefeller (D-WV); Russell D. Feingold (D-WI); Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT); Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI); Tom Udall (D-NM); Roland W. Burris (D-IL); Ron Wyden (D-OR); Debbie Stabenow (D-MI); Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); Michael F. Bennet (D-CO); Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Jack Reed (D-RI); Jeff Merkley (D-OR); Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ); Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD); Al Franken (D-MN); Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA); Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD); Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI); Edward E. Kaufman (D-DE); Arlen Specter (D-PA); Maria Cantwell (D-WA); Robert Menendez (D-NJ); Bernard Sanders (I-VT); John F. Kerry (D-MA); Herb Kohl (D-WI); and Paul Kirk (D-MA).
Gillibrand also made her own statement that reiterated her support for health care reform and the public option.
"Ensuring that every American has access to quality, affordable health care is a national priority," Senator Gillibrand said. "I continue to support a robust public option that can compete with private health insurance and drive down health care costs for everyone. With more than 47 million uninsured Americans and millions of families and businesses struggling with rising health care costs, the time to act is now. We cannot have a system in which the only choice is private plans. Everyone should have the option of buying into a not-for profit public plan at a rate that they can afford. I am proud to join with my colleagues to fight for the inclusion of a public plan option in health care reform."
While Senator Chuck Schumer wasn't in on the letter, we do know where he stands. We also know that there are close to 50 senators that would support the public option. That's a majority of the Democratic caucus. So if there are Democrats that want to vote against a majority of their caucus, so be it.
The efforts in Congress to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell are very much alive. There is legislation in the House which would reach this goal and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has called for hearings that she believes will take place some time this fall, perhaps as early as this month or at some point next month.
Last night, Senator Gillibrand appeared on the Rachel Maddow show to discuss the efforts to repeal DADT.
If you notice, Maddow highlights how there are many leaders (most notably Congressman Patrick Murphy, an Iraq War veteran who has championed this cause) in the House. But you will notice there aren't a whole lot of senators mentioned other than Gillibrand. That's why it is great to see Gillibrand get recognized for her efforts.
Gillibrand also has a petition you can sign at RepealDontAskDontTell.com so you can add your name to the list of those who want a repeal of this discriminatory policy. The idea is to gather supporters in advance of the hearing so that Congress knows (especially those in the Senate) that this is important. A repeal of DADT is needed and it should be done by the end of this year.
In a post a few days ago, Gillibrand made it clear that the time is now for a repeal of DADT.
From her post:
Since 1994, almost 13,000 gay servicemen and women have been discharged from the military based not on their performance but on their sexual orientation. In 2009 alone, we've had more than 400 of our brave men and women leave the military under Don't Ask Don't Tell. This is simply unacceptable. It is time to repeal this outdated and immoral policy once and for all and end the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly and honestly in our armed forces.
To that end, I've secured the commitment from Senator Carl Levin, Chair of the Armed Services Committee, to hold the first hearing on the policy since it began 16 years ago. Chairman Levin expects to hold the hearing soon and it's my hope that it will be instrumental in demonstrating the level of support that exists for repeal not only throughout the country -- where polls consistently indicate that solid majorities oppose the policy -- but within the military itself.
I'm happy to see that, as the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing approaches, there are signs of momentum building toward repeal.
On September 24, Majority Leader Harry Reid sent letters to the president and Secretary Gates reiterating his support for repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and requesting their recommendations to Congress on the policy. I agree with Senator Reid. I know the president opposes DADT, and I am confident he and his administration will work to engage Congressional and military leaders in this debate.
The best part is how Gillibrand closes the post. She mentioned the recent remarks from National Security Adviser James Jones who said that a repeal of DADT would come "at the right time." Gillibrand believes that the time is now for a repeal. I think that sentiment is shared with many of us in the progressive community who believe that DADT shouldn't have happened to begin with and shouldn't remain on the books past this year.
If you were running to become the junior U.S. senator from New York, where would you raise money?
Certainly, your home state (in this case, New York) comes to mind. And since New York is home to New York City, the go-to place for political fundraising dollars, you would have no problem raising funds from the large group of people willing to give the maximum amount to any candidate they like.
Jonathan Tasini, a labor activist who is mounting a left-flank challenge to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will host a fund-raiser tonight in Los Angeles featuring actor Richard Dreyfuss.
Tasini told me by phone from LA that he has known Dreyfuss--the star of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Mr. Holland's Opus--for about three years. Dreyfuss is an active Democratic donor, and played Dick Cheney in the 2008 film W. Tickets start at $100 a head.
I asked Tasini how things were going, in light of a new poll which shows Kirsten Gillibrand running behind potential Republican opponents.
"I believed from the very beginning that she will not be the senator from New York," Tasini said. "It will either be that I defeat he in the primary, or she'll lose in the general election. Democrats should be very concerned about that; I will be a much stronger candidate against any Republican."
"I intend to be the nominee. I'm very confident in that," he said, noting things are "very, very different" than his Quixotic 2006 primary against Hillary Clinton.
I have always wanted Siena or Marist to include Tasini in their polling. If he thinks Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will lose in the general election and that he "will be a much stronger candidate against any Republican" then we should know just how well he fares against the likes of Rudy Giuliani and George Pataki.
There are those who come here and criticize our coverage of this race and label the whole blog pro-Gillibrand even though there are only a few of us in this community who are outspoken in our support for Gillibrand. Yes, a few of us are front-pagers, but that doesn't make the whole group pro-Gillibrand. That is like the labeling that went on during the 2008 elections that tabbed Daily Kos as the blog for Obama and MyDD as the blog for Clinton. Were front-pagers on those respective blogs supportive of those respective candidates? Yes. But it wasn't an accurate label of those blogs.
The truth is that I would take primary opponents a little more seriously if they did two things:
(1) Ran on their own platform instead of trying to run against the incumbent. If you have to run on someone's weaknesses instead of your strengths, why bother running?
(2) Treated the race seriously by actively campaigning, traveling the state and by putting New Yorkers first just as you would have to do as senator.
In Tasini's case, he fails both. While he does have his own platform, that is not his primary focus. He is trying to highlight Gillibrand's weaknesses instead of his strengths. He did the same thing in 2006 with Hillary Clinton. It didn't work then and it won't work now.
Tasini had a problem with being viewed as a serious candidate in 2006. The same can be said now. Instead of making trips to Hollywood for fundraisers with actors, why not take that time and effort and come to upstate New York (not Ithaca, somewhere else), the North Country or hold a fundraiser on Long Island. There is more to this state than the five boroughs and Tompkins County. Apparently, Tasini doesn't know that.
The problem for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand might not be a Democratic primary. The problem might be beating Republicans Rudy Giuliani and George Pataki.
The Marist poll on the U.S. Senate race shows that Gillibrand trails both Republicans, although there are some points to make about the polling numbers against her hypothetical Republican opponents.
Against Giuliani, Gillibrand loses 51 percent to 40 percent. Those numbers aren't too surprising, given Giuliani's name recognition and considering that is pretty much what these polls are all about when they involve someone like Gillibrand who doesn't have the statewide name recognition that Giuliani or Pataki has.
When pitted against Pataki, Gillibrand does better. She still trails 45 percent to 41 percent, but that's not a bad margin against the man who seems to be the more likely of the two opponents. If Giuliani runs for anything, it is looking like he will run for governor. But I think the Republicans are waiting to see what Andrew Cuomo does.
There are some things in these polls that need to be pointed out.
- Gillibrand beats Giuliani in New York City by a larger margin than Pataki. That is a very interesting number. Gillibrand wins 58 percent to 38 percent in New York City over Giuliani and 53 percent to 34 percent over Pataki. I know that it's only one percent point, but since 58 percent of voters are willing to pick her over Giuliani, that's a much bigger achievement than the margin of victory.
- Gillibrand's weakness in the general election matchups is what some might consider her strength: Upstate. She loses upstate New York to Giuliani 59 percent to 33 percent and loses to Pataki 48 percent to 39 percent. Isn't it fascinating that Giuliani loses the city he used to be mayor of by 20 percentage points and yet, wins what you might consider "conservative upstate" by 26 points.
- Democrats supporting the Republican in these polls are also interesting. Of the Democrats polled, 29 percent support Giuliani and 26 percent support Pataki. By comparison, only 13 percent of Republicans back Gillibrand in her matchup with Giuliani and 17 percent support her in a race with Pataki. Could those votes be from Democrats who just don't like Gillibrand or aren't informed about Gillibrand? It is very possible. It's also possible that they are voting for the person they know the most about. In this case, it wouldn't be a shock to have that person (or persons) be Giuliani and Pataki.
- Gillibrand has to build her support among women. Women back Giuliani over Gillibrand 47 percent to 41 percent and back Gillibrand over Pataki 43 percent to 40 percent. You would think that support would be a little higher, especially in a race that would pit her against a man. But those numbers are sitting in the low 40s.
We are about 13 months away from the general election. I'm not too worried about this race. I do worry that she has hit a lull after months of increasing poll numbers. What is clear is that if Pataki is her opponent, she will probably beat him. The numbers don't say it now, but she could beat him today. Giuliani is a different story. Of course, it helps to have a national profile. Some people vote not based on qualifications but who they know when asked in these polls. So when they hear Giuliani as opposed to Gillibrand, it doesn't surprise me that they pick Giuliani.
Gillibrand is still working hard. She has clearly made gains in New York City, where hardly anyone likes Giuliani or Pataki. So if she can build up her base and appeal to those in upstate New York, she will be a tough candidate to beat in 2010.
Governor Paterson has a 29 percent favorable rating in the new poll. It is the first time since May that his numbers dropped below 30 percent and does not serve him well after the news came out that President Barack Obama doesn't want Paterson to run next year. It is hard to make a case for Paterson running next year with numbers like that a year out from the primary.
When asked about next year's elections, 71 percent said that they "prefer someone else" over Paterson. That is a tie for the highest percentage of respondents saying that they want someone other than Paterson. Only 14 percent said they would elect Paterson.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo fares better than Paterson in a primary and against hypothetical general election opponents. If the race between Cuomo and Paterson was held today, Cuomo would win 66 percent to 20 percent. In general election contests, Paterson beats Republican Lazio 39 percent to 35 percent with Cuomo beating Lazio 64 percent to 18 percent. Paterson loses to Republican Rudy Giuliani 52 percent to 35 percent with Cuomo knocking off Giuliani 52 percent to 39 percent.
By comparison, Cuomo's favorable rating is at 66 percent. In a separate question, 47 percent of respondents said that they would rather see Cuomo run for governor than attorney general.
For Gillibrand, the numbers are a little better given her time in office (eight months) and her status as still a statewide unknown. Her favorable rating is 29 percent, which is the same as last month. However, her unfavorable rating is at 24 percent - the highest it has been since Siena starting asking people about Gillibrand.
The poll only focused on one possible opponent for Gillibrand this month and that was Giuliani. In the matchup, Giuliani would win 46 percent to 38 percent. Those numbers aren't bad considering Giuliani's name recognition statewide compared to Gillibrand. But it does show Gillibrand has a long way to go.
A final stat to take notice of in the poll is this question:
As things stand now, if the election for State Senate were held today, would you vote to re-elect your incumbent Senator or would you prefer someone else?
Only 38 percent of respondents said they would vote to re-elect their incumbent senator. Another 45 percent said they would vote for someone else. Those numbers are worth highlighting because of everything that has happened in the state senate. I don't think it should sweep up the good senators, but I do hope it rids the New York State Senate of ineffective legislators whose only goal in Albany is to line their own pockets and expand their influence.
Jon Cooper said it was an eye-opening moment for him. He was watching the press conference announcing Governor David Paterson's selection of Kirsten Gillibrand to serve as New York's junior U.S. senator. His spouse Rob inquired out loud if that was former Senator Alfonse D'Amato standing on the platform with her.
Last week, I spoke with Cooper about his possible candidacy, his career and why he is interested in running for a seat that was once held by Hillary Clinton, Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Robert F. Kennedy.
At first, Cooper dismissed the notion that a former Republican U.S. senator from New York - the same man Senator Chuck Schumer beat in 1998 - would be at a ceremony for Republicans. But, much to his dismay, there D'Amato stood mere feet away from Gillibrand as she was introduced as New York's newest senator.
Cooper makes it clear that he has ideas. He isn't just going to run an anti-Gillibrand campaign, but he can't help but point out her record. He mentions her past ties to Big Tobacco, the 100 percent rating she received from the National Rifle Association and her evolution on numerous issues that could be perceived as politically convenient.
"Her past position (on gun control) was of concern," he said. "There are some people are distrustful of her evolution on this and other issues and are concerned about what they see as flip-flopping and see this as insincere or they question her character. I'm not saying I do. But there are those who do."
For Cooper, however, it is different. He is not yet a declared candidate but he is touting his own record and why, if he were to run, he should be considered a serious contender to Gillibrand.
"I have, many times over the years, took stances that might not have been politically popular with my constituents but I believed it was the right thing to do," he said.
As an openly gay and happily married man, Cooper is the father of five children he and his spouse Rob have adopted. He has served 10 years on the Suffolk County Legislature and currently is the majority leader for the legislature's Democrats. He lists two key pieces of legislation as highlights of his career. He wrote the first law banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving in the country. Since then, a number of states (including New York) have adopted such laws. In addition to that, Cooper also authored legislation that banned the sale of ephedra. That effort led to the federal government imposing a ban on the dietary supplement.
Jobs and the economy is an area that Cooper knows all too well. Cooper is running the family business, Spectronics Corporation, in Westbury. He said that while he is on the corporate side of things, he also is very much pro-labor and supports workers.
In the 2008 presidential primaries, Cooper backed an underdog named Barack Obama. Cooper was the first elected official from New York to endorse Obama and went on to be the Long Island chair of the Obama campaign. He said that, at the time, people asked him if he realized the political risk he was taking. Cooper said he had supported Hillary Clinton in the past but once he met Obama, he was sold. It was through the Obama campaign that Cooper met many grassroots organizers, some of whom are now aiding him in his exploratory efforts and organizing meet and greets throughout the state for people to meet him. Cooper was in upstate New York this weekend meeting voters in Buffalo and Rochester and will be back in upstate New York again, especially if he decides to run.
Cooper knows that he has a long way to go. He realizes that Gillibrand has millions in her bankroll. He realizes that she has received nearly every county chair's endorsement to date. But one thing he references to is that Obama was counted out too. No one thought Hillary Clinton could be beaten. But with the greatest grassroots campaign ever, Obama pulled it out in the primary and won the general election.
A vast majority of Obama organizers and activists that Cooper worked with in 2008 are urging him to run and are supporting him. Democratic clubs have urged him to run. Progressives are supporting him. And while he says he isn't comparing himself to Obama, the comparisons are glaring.
"The party establishment, for the most part, quite understandably is falling in line behind our Democratic incumbent senator regardless of how she got to that office," he said. "But she's the incumbent Democrat now and I expect most of the political establishment to back her. But a lot of the grassroots leaders that had been early supporters of Obama seem to be lining up behind me or at the very least, urging me to run so that we will have a choice, which is what this is all about: Offering Democrats in New York State a choice."
While Cooper doesn't have a full slate of issues on his platform yet (understandable at this stage), his platform stresses the importance of economic development, pushes for progressive values and support of the environment and the fight for health care, consumer protection, gun safety and middle class tax cuts.
So when will we know whether or not Cooper is running? He says by the end of the year he will have a decision. He is testing the waters right now to see just how much support he has and what the response is statewide. I spoke with him over the weekend and he seemed to be very pleased and excited by the response in Buffalo and Rochester. So we'll see just how far he is willing to go and if he is going to make an upset bid for the U.S. Senate.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has heard plenty about her vote against an amendment that was put forth in the U.S. Senate Monday to prohibit Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds being delivered to ACORN.
The reason? Gillibrand was one of only seven senators to oppose the amendment. The amendment passed 83 to 7 and Gillibrand was one of the seven (all Democrats) to oppose it.
Since that point, Gillibrand's vote has been looked at as a shift to the left while also being attacked by conservatives. Politico's Glenn Thrush said that the vote divided Gillibrand and Senator Chuck Schumer while also adding that Gillibrand's vote was possibly due to the fact that ACORN is very active in New York City and it also has connections to the Working Families Party, a line that Gillibrand will certainly want in next year's election. The New York Post has an editorial in today's paper called "Sen. Jello-Brand" which argues that Gillibrand has shifted from being a moderate voice in the House to a "radical leftist" in the Senate and argued that the vote in support of ACORN proves that.
However, Gillibrand's backing of ACORN is not a new thing, nor is it an attempt by the junior senator to shift to the left. Here's the proof:
- On February 6, the Senate voted on an amendment put forth by Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that would prohibit funds from being sent to ACORN. Senator Gillibrand voted against the amendment along with Senator Schumer. The overall vote featured 45 "Yea" votes, meaning the amendment failed to pass.
- On March 26, the Senate took up another amendment this time to the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. This amendment served a similar purpose to the others that have been proposed: Oppose any funds being sent to ACORN. Senator Gillibrand voted in favor of tabling the motion. The motion was tabled by a 53 to 43 vote.
- The came the vote Monday which received overwhelming support. Having 83 senators from both parties back an amendment is quite an accomplishment. But Gillibrand voted against the amendment, which is consistent with her previous positions.
In addition to her Senate votes, Gillibrand voted in favor of the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 which included $4 billion trust fund that was available to groups like ACORN.
After the criticism mounted against Gillibrand, her office issued this statement:
"While Senator Gillibrand finds the actions of certain ACORN employees to be reprehensible and will ask ACORN leaders for a full investigation and plan to prevent any further abuse, the truth remains that thousands of New York families who are facing foreclosure depend on charitable organizations like ACORN for assistance. Senator Gillibrand believes that eliminating funding for the important programs that ACORN provides would be harmful to the thousands of hard working New Yorkers who need extra assistance in the middle of this economic crisis."
There are two opponents in this instance: The media and the right-wing. The media is an opponent here for lazy reporting and a willingness to latch onto the opposition's talking points. ACORN, like anything, has its flaws. ACORN has some issues and I, like many others, agree that they need to address those issues. But ACORN also serves a purpose and in these tough economic times, ACORN has a place.
For the media to jump on the anti-ACORN bandwagon is irresponsible. In this case, they also fail to discuss what I think is the bigger story: Why so many Democrats have abandoned ship and jumped on that same anti-ACORN bandwagon. If Gillibrand is one of only seven Democrats who still support ACORN, why are the other 53 Democrats in the U.S. Senate opposed? What made them change their minds? Did this one incident scare them? If so, I think that's more of a question to ask than the alleged political convenience and opportunism of Gillibrand.
Things have been quiet on the Democratic primary front for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. But as her recess winds down, one challenger is on the campaign trail and other possible opponent challenges her on the public option.
Jonathan Tasini was in Ithaca over the weekend campaigning and raising money. Ithaca (and Tompkins County) was where Tasini performed best in upstate New York. In 2006, Sen. Hillary Clinton defeated Tasini in Tompkins by 828 votes. The final tally was Clinton 2,849 to Tasini's 2,021.
Despite massive disadvantages in name recognition and fundraising, Tasini thinks the economic crisis and state government meltdown have left people more open to his brand of change than they've ever been. Tasini was in Ithaca Sunday campaigning and fundraising.
"The political machine in this state does not work for the people. The political machine in this state works for the politicians and the careers of politicians, and people are fed up with that," he said.
...
Prior to accepting her Senate seat, Gillibrand worked for the tobacco and gun industries, and she is "awash" in money from special interests, Tasini said.
Tasini's contributions are all from individuals, while almost $700,000 of Gillibrand's are from political action committees, including hospitals, insurance companies, financial services and the natural gas industry, according to the FEC database.
If elected, Tasini said his top priorities would be strengthening the labor movement through widespread unionization; rewriting free trade policies to protect workers as well as corporations; and raising taxes on corporations and couples making more than $351,000 rather than "borrow(ing) from the Chinese."
On health care, he supports single-payer government insurance by opening Medicare to everyone.
Jon Cooper, a local Long Island official who may be the only elected official remaining to challenge Kristen Gillibrand, sends out an email today that shows how the approaching midterms polarize the debate.
The punch line of the email:
As you know, I strongly believe that any meaningful health care reform must include a government-run public option. That's why I was greatly concerned by phone calls I placed last week to all six of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's district offices. Staffers at each office advised me that Senator Gillibrand is willing to consider supporting alternatives to the public option, such as health insurance co-ops.
On both sides, the public option is becoming a potent primary wedge, which isn't exactly a spur to rational debate.
Thanks to Ben, I have included the full e-mail below the fold.
Cooper's approach is an interesting one, given Gillibrand's stated support of a public option. She can consider alternatives all she wants, but her stance is in strong support of a public option. She hasn't wavered from that.
On Tasini, it is hard to take him seriously when he goes to virtually the only place in upstate where he stood a chance in 2006. He needs to go elsewhere if he wants to be considered a serious candidate. Right now, Dr. Scott Noren seems to be a more serious option than Tasini, who ran against Clinton in 2006 on a platform of holding her accountable for her Iraq War vote (which is a nice idea, but hardly something to run a U.S. Senate campaign on).
Cooper has the right idea. Cooper has said that he is going to travel to upstate and visit Democrats in places like Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. Tasini should be doing the same, but that has yet to happen.
"It is with profound grief that I learned the news of Senator Edward Kennedy's passing late last night.
"Senator Kennedy took his seat in the United States Senate in 1962, and from the moment he was sworn in, he fought for the progressive principles and ideas that he held so close to his heart. Over the course of 47 years in the Senate, he was an unstoppable force for peace, civil rights, expanding access to health care, improving education, reforming our immigration system and encouraging national and community service. It is fair to say that Senator Kennedy influenced every important issue that affected our nation for the past half century, and on every issue, he stood for justice and compassion.
"Senator Kennedy was the Lion of the Senate and one of the most consequential figures of the 20th century. He was intimately familiar with the Senate's levers of power, and knew how and in what order to pull them. His mastery of the legislative process is unparalleled in our time, and he stands on par with giants like Webster and Clay. Still, first and foremost, he was a friend to regular Americans. He was a fighter for our needs. He was a true American hero.
"And so today, Americans mourn the loss of our great champion, but we also rejoice in what he lived for. As Senator Kennedy said of his brother Robert, so can be said of him: 'He gave us strength in time of trouble, wisdom in time of uncertainty and sharing in time of happiness.'
"Senator Kennedy may be gone, but the impression he left on this nation and its people remains. The values he spent his life fighting for stand eternal. His dream for a better future lives. On behalf of my family and all of the people of the State of New York, I offer the Kennedy family my condolences on this great loss. I hope that they, and all of the Senator's friends, colleagues and supporters, can take comfort from the knowledge that America is a safer, freer and more just nation thanks to Ted Kennedy."
"Ted Kennedy was a mentor, a guiding light, and a close friend -- we all loved the man. In the Senate, Ted Kennedy was our sun - the center of our universe. To be pulled by his strong gravitational field, to bask in his warmth was a privilege, an honor, and, for many of us, even a life changing experience. His death leaves our world dark but, as he said in his own words, 'the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.' Ted, we will not let your flag fall."
"Senator Kennedy's dedication for over four decades to help millions of our nation's children, seniors and families is an inspiration to me, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve with him in the United States Senate.
"While we have lost an American treasure today, Senator Kennedy's rich legacy, historic legislative record and deep commitment to positive change for all Americans will continue to be felt for generations to come.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the Kennedy family as they grieve over their loss."
New York State Democratic Chairwoman June O'Neill:
"The nation has lost the 'lion of the Senate' and a champion for those who are marginalized and disenfranchised in our country. Senator Kennedy was an American icon and a hero to millions who admired his strength, grace, intellect and conviction.
In 1980 I had the privilege of being elected a Ted Kennedy delegate to the Democratic National Convention held that year in Madison Square Garden. It was a memorable night when he gave one of the best, and most moving speeches of his career. He pledged then to fight for Americans who are unemployed and for national health care insurance.
Last year, as a delegate to the National Convention in Denver, I was among the thousands who were in the hall to see and hear Senator Kennedy deliver what would become his final major public address. There wasn't a dry eye in the house when he finished. He reminded us of how far we had come, and how far we have yet to go. He implored the country to support the 'passing of the torch to a new generation' and to make sure that health care became a right not a privilege. Ironically, that marvelous speech was delivered one year ago today. Although we mourn this great loss, Senator Kennedy's legacy lives on.
I have more statements from other state leaders below the fold.
Congressman Eric Massa was questioned for a few months about why he had not yet endorsed Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. He was asked on weekly press calls and in interviews why he had not endorsed Gillibrand. Simply put, Massa believed that his energy was better spent focused on his district and his work in the House of Representatives.
As one of the last members of the New York House delegation to back Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's election next year, Rep. Eric Massa, D-Corning, announced today that he will back the junior senator.
A quick education for Mr. Spector. The New York House delegation has 29 members, 26 of which are Democrats. Of those 26 Democrats, 14 have endorsed Gillibrand. Massa isn't "one of the last" members of the New York congressional delegation. Is he one of the latest members to endorse? Yes. But there are 12 other members of the New York House delegation who have yet to endorse.
Here is the list of those who have endorsed:
* Congressman Michael Arcuri (NY-24)
* Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-11)
* 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 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)
This is the list of New York Democratic House members who haven't endorsed Gillibrand:
- Congressman Gary Ackerman (NY-5)
- Congressman Timothy Bishop (NY-1)
- Congressman Joseph Crowley (NY-7)
- Congressman Steve Israel (NY-2)
- Congressman Dan Maffei (NY-25)
- Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-14)
- Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4)
- Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-8)
- Congressman Charles Rangel (NY-15)
- Congressman Jose Serrano (NY-16)
- Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28)
- Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-21)
I see bigger stories than Massa's endorsement here. None of the House members from Long Island have endorsed. Three upstate members - Maffei, Slaughter and Tonko - have not endorsed.
The biggest story? Some of the most prominent members of the delegation haven't touched the race. The aforementioned Slaughter, one of the most powerful members of the House, hasn't endorsed. Nadler hasn't endorsed. Rangel hasn't endorsed.
But what is the media focused on? Whether or not Massa, one of the few freshmen members of the delegation, has endorsed. Even with their focus on it, they managed to drop the ball and consider his endorsement "one of the last" when it was one of the first 14 of 26.
"I've seen first-hand Kirsten's tireless commitment to getting New York back on the right track," Congressman Massa said. "In just six months, she's brought an innovative approach to creating new jobs and rebuilding the economy so it works for everyday New York families. She knows what's at stake for families in my district during these tough economic times, and she's working every day to improve the lives of families in every corner of New York. That's why I'm proud to endorse her for the U.S. Senate."
"I am honored to have Congressman Massa's endorsement and I look forward to working with him and leaders across New York," said Senator Gillibrand. "I pledge to always be a voice for families in the Finger Lakes region and across the state."
Massa is the latest of a host of endorsements Gillibrand has received this week. Former New York State Democratic chairman and New York State Assemblyman Denny Farrell endorsed Gillibrand yesterday.
The endorsements Gillibrand has received include 14 members of New York's congressional Democratic caucus. She has been endorsed by several other local and state elected officials, as well as most of the state's Democratic Party county chairs.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been proactive during her time in the U.S. Senate. She has addressed a number of issues, including making veterans health care more accessible to those who qualify for it and bringing her daily Sunlight Report to the U.S. Senate, which was also something she did on a regular basis during her time in the House of Representatives.
This week, Sen. Gillibrand has released a report outlining the problem of asthma in New York. Asthma affects over 370,000 children in New York, including 180,000 in the New York City area. Between 2005 and 2007, over 40,000 children were hospitalized for asthma-related illnesses. According to Gillibrand's office, asthma costs our economy approximately $16 billion a year.
Sen. Gillibrand came up with a plan to address the problem of asthma:
1. Make Inhalers Available to Every Child in Need
The FDA now requires drug makers to manufacture inhalers with a reduced impact on the environment, and completed phasing out the sale of the inhalers containing harmful propellants last year. To help schools and families afford the new inhalers they need, Senator Gillibrand's plan will provide over $100 million in funding to schools in low-income, high-incidence areas to purchase inhalers and spacers - so children suffering from asthma have access to the treatment they need. The cost of the program is based on asthma rates among low income children at Title I schools. The funding will provide the school with the inhalers they need and a spacer for every child.
2. Create School Asthma Management Plans
In order to qualify for the free inhalers and spacers program, Senator Gillibrand will require that schools draft and implement a comprehensive school asthma management policy and program, including:
· A method to identify all students with asthma and their prescriptions;
· Asthma education for all school staff;
· Access to medication and methods to administer medication for all children based on their individual needs;
· Medication and emergency policies specific to each school;
· Protocols and training to support clinical management of acute symptoms and ongoing management;
· Systems to support ongoing care coordination with family, primary care provider and others as necessary;
· Methods to monitor quality and outcomes of student's asthma care;
3. Train More Asthma Educators
New York only has about 100 asthma educators - experts in counseling individuals with asthma and their families on how to treat and lead healthy lives with asthma. Asthma educators are required to put in 1,000 hours at clinical sites to complete their training, a cost that is not reimbursable by insurance. This puts considerable financial burden on anyone interested in becoming an asthma educator.
To incentivize more health professionals to become asthma educators, Senator Gillibrand is urging U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to direct more workforce development funding to support the training of additional certified asthma educators in New York and across the country.
Investing in asthma educators can help minimize the effects of asthma on a child's everyday life and cut costs over the long run by reducing expensive trips to the emergency room. In fact, studies show that for every dollar invested in asthma education, we can save up to $36 in direct and indirect costs associated with treating asthma.
4. Invest in More Research and Data Collection
Medical and scientific research holds the potential to unlock new treatments for children suffering from asthma. To give scientists and laboratories the resources they need to make the next breakthrough in asthma treatment, Senator Gillibrand will introduce the Asthma Act - legislation sponsored by Congresswoman Nita Lowey in the House, which will provide new funding for asthma research.
Additionally, this legislation will improve collaboration of federal agencies for better asthma surveillance and data collection, and give all states, schools and families the resources they need to raise awareness, provide asthma training for educators, and referrals to health plans that provide treatment for every child suffering from asthma through the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Furthermore, national data on asthma rates is lacking, presenting an enormous obstacle in our efforts to combat this problem over the long term. Over the coming months, Senator Gillibrand will work with Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey to author legislation that will help to create standardized national data that will help identify where funding is needed most.
Sen. Gillibrand also wrote a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asking Sebelius to support initatives that would be federally funded that would help educate and treat those affected by asthma. You can read the letter below the fold.
Asthma can create serious problems. There was a story told at a recent health care town hall meeting of a young girl who had severe asthma, but was not getting the treatment she needed. She suffered an asthma attack that resulted in her death.
While that is an extreme case, it only shows the need for better education and better access to treatment. Asthma is just one piece of the large health care puzzle. But it's an important piece that impacts 370,000 New Yorkers daily.
Assemblyman Sam Hoyt was one of the Western New York leaders that sat down with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand at an economic development roundtable held on the campus of the University at Buffalo.
Among the issues mentioned, high speed rail was brought up. As we know from past interviews, Assemblyman Hoyt has been a long-time advocate for high speed rail in New York. Sen. Gillibrand is also very supportive of high speed rail and that makes Assemblyman Hoyt very pleased.
Assemblymember Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo, Grand Island) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand met today at an economic development roundtable hosted by the Senator at the University at Buffalo Center for Excellence in Bioinformatics to discuss economic issues in Western New York. During the roundtable, Hoyt discussed the need for investment in High Speed Rail - an issue that Senator Gillibrand has also spotlighted as vital to the future of Upstate New York.
"Senator Gillibrand understands that we need to be bold and decisive in tackling the economic difficulties facing our State. I applaud her for recognizing the potential that a High Speed Rail corridor connecting Toronto and New York City, and all of the great cities in between, is one project that needs to be pursued to revitalize the upstate economy," Hoyt said.
Hoyt has long been a champion of creating a High Speed Rail Corridor in New York State and serves as the Co-Chair of the Assembly's Task Force on High Speed Rail. He has recently called on President Obama to include money in his economic stimulus package for the construction of high speed rail in New York. Senator Gillibrand recently commented that she believed that a high speed rail linking Western New York and all of Upstate to New York City would be a catalyst for Upstate economic revitalization.
Hoyt, who is also one of the founding members of a coalition of New York State and Federal legislators who are promoting high speed rail, commented "With the rapidly growing number of elected officials who support high speed rail, and with Senator Gillibrand as a strong supporter, the dream of having a bullet train traveling from one of the state to the other is much closer to becoming a reality."
Hoyt is the man when it comes to high speed rail in Western New York. If we see high speed rail come to New York, especially in Western New York, we can thank Hoyt for that.
Having Sen. Gillibrand on board helps. She will be a strong voice for these initiatives in the U.S. Senate and that is very good to know.
Gov. Paterson may have handed Kirsten Gillibrand her U.S. Senate seat, but she plans to keep it the old-fashioned way - by campaigning relentlessly.
In office only since Tuesday, Gillibrand has already booked a Hillary Clinton-sized "listening tour" this weekend, taking her from Buffalo to Brooklyn - with a fund-raiser, two round tables and meetings with at least four ethnic groups sprinkled in along the way.
The stated purpose? To show that Gillibrand is on the job and willing to make new friends, aides say.
But the unstated message is clear: Gillibrand will be a tenacious opponent for anyone, Democrat or Republican, mulling a run against her in 2010.
Whether it works, of course, remains to be seen. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-L.I.), whose husband was killed by a crazed gunman in 1993, has said she is prepared to run against Gillibrand, whose pro-gun record earned her an A rating from the conservative National Rifle Association.
And many immigrant advocates remain furious over her past support for laws they see as anti-immigrant, among them a bill that would bar employers who hire illegal immigrants from getting federal contracts.
"The jury is definitely still out on her," said a Hispanic lawmaker expected to meet with her this weekend.
According to the article, Sen. Gillibrand will be meeting with a few groups in Manhattan today before holding a Gillibrand for Senate fundraiser later in the day. Tomorrow, Gillibrand will travel upstate for meetings in Buffalo and Rochester. And on Sunday, Gillibrand will have a meeting with Hispanic lawmakers in Brooklyn. Gillibrand will also meet with the head of the New York Immigration Coalition and attend a parade in Chinatown.
It is great to see Gillibrand out and about this early. She will need to do this often in order to win over this diverse state. It will be interesting to see how the next 20 months play out.
Cooper makes it clear that he has ideas. He isn't just going to run an anti-Gillibrand campaign, but he can't help but point out her record. He mentions her past ties to Big Tobacco, the 100 percent rating she received from the National Rifle Association and her evolution on numerous issues that could be perceived as politically convenient.
