[Marxism] NY State governor follows in Obama's footsteps

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/politics/2009/01/23/hillary-clintons-senate-replacement-draws-fire-from-liberals_print.htm
Hillary Clinton's Senate Replacement Draws Fire from Liberals
New York Governor Patterson choice, Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, upsets key 
Democratic groups

Posted January 23, 2009

By KENNETH LOVETT
Daily News Albany Bureau Chief

ALBANY - Opposition to Gov. Paterson's selection of Rep. Kirsten 
Gillibrand as New York's new junior senator has been swift, furious and 
widespread.

Gun control and immigration advocates - and even fellow Democrats - 
offered a howl of protest Friday, hours before Paterson formally 
introduced Gillibrand.

Chung-Wa Hong, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, 
criticized Gillibrand's views on immigration reform.

She accused Gillibrand of using rhetoric pitting undocumented workers 
against citizen workers and doing little to support immigration reform 
that offers a road to citizenship.

Noting as a congresswoman Gillibrand represented a heavily Republican 
and conservative district, Hong said "she needs to show she can switch 
from representing a single district to representing a pro-immigration 
state."

She also expressed disappointment at Paterson not only for his choice 
but his selection process.

Liberal Democrats and progressive groups lobbied late into the night to 
get Paterson to change his mind.

In the end, after Caroline Kennedy dropped out on Wednesday, it came 
down to Gillibrand, an upstate woman, and city teachers union president 
Randi Weingarten.

While other candidates throughout the night were told they were no 
longer in consideration, Weingarten didn't receive her call from the 
governor until shortly before 2 a.m., sources said.

Paterson then called Gillibrand, who accepted the position.

Already, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Long Island) and Manhattan Borough 
President Scott Stringer are considering a 2010 primary against 
Gillibrand, source close to each said.

Gun control groups also were outraged, citing Gillibrand's support by 
the NRA and her opposition to restricting the second amendment right to 
bear arms.

"When I heard Gillibrand was his pick, I thought it was a joke," said 
Gloria Cruz, Bronx chapter president of the Million Mom March to Prevent 
Gun Violence. "This is an insult to the families of gun violence victims 
across the state. Shame on Gov. Paterson.

Not everyone was upset.

Alan Van Capelle, head of the Empire State Pride Agenda, the state's 
largest gay rights group, said Gillibrand expressed support for gay 
marriage and said she would support full repeal of the federal Defense 
of Marriage Act as well as the Don't Ask Don't Tell military policy.

"After talking to Kirsten Gillibrand, I am very happy to say that New 
York is poised to have its first U.S. Senator who supports marriage 
equality for same-sex couples," Van Capelle said.

Abortion rights groups also hailed her selection.

"Like her predecessor Hillary Clinton, Rep. Gillibrand has shown herself 
to be an ally and advocate for New York and for women across the 
country, co-sponsoring legislation to ensure access to and funding for 
contraception," said NARAL Pro-Choice New York president Kelli Conlin.

"We know that as senator she will represent our interests with integrity 
and passion."

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