"Gillibrand is good at having it both ways..."
The National Journal has a big article on Kirsten Gillibrand's rise to prominence in national politics, and the evolution of her positions on various issues along the way. From "How Kirsten Gillibrand Shed Her Past on the Way to Liberal Stardom," by Ben Terris:
It's a stretch to imagine Gillibrand running for president any time soon: There's a Hillary-sized shadow hanging over 2016, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo also appears above her on the New York depth chart. But this is a Democratic Party desperate for new blood and new talent. At 46, Gillibrand fits the bill perhaps better than anyone--and she has begun to build a national persona that can match her ambitions. Her battle against the Pentagon over sexual assaults in the military has won her headlines and praise. At the same time, she's a stunningly adept fundraiser who earns loyalty from her colleagues the old-fashioned way--by doling out money. It's telling that when potential women presidents are mentioned, the list tends to begin and end at Clinton. There is opportunity there.
But to reach that place in the firmament, Gillibrand will have to pull off what many politicians before her have had to do: reconcile her past political identities with her present ones. Gillibrand isn't the first Democrat from a rural, centrist background to try to build a bridge to the progressive wing of the party. (See: the other Clinton, Bill.) And often, it can be easier to accomplish than those liberals trying to convince rank-and-file voters that they are one of them, as both Barack Obama and John Kerry before him struggled to do. But that doesn't mean she won't have some explaining to do on what can be politely termed her evolution.
How she navigates those questions will say a lot about her readiness for the grand stage.
If you've been following along over the past few years, a lot of it won't be new to you. But it's another picture of KG as a persistent, savvy, highly-skilled politician.
Earlier on AOA: "What is required of that money? Because it makes me uncomfortable..."
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Comments
It's nice to see that Gillibrand has rose to prominence in the last few years despite many who seemed to think she couldn't handle the job. You may remember back around 2009-10 that many people (mainly from Downstate) tried desperately to get Caroline Kennedy and Harold Ford Jr. to get appointed to the seat by Paterson or run against her in a primary. I was suprised how many people seemed to want to get rid of her at first in part because she was a relative unknown in politics but largely due to the fact that she was from Upstate NY and was seen as incapable of connecting with people from Downstate. It probably didn't help that she was pretty moderate as a House member and was quite pro-gun/pro-military.
However, I think she has shown that someone elected from Upstate still can represent the rest of the State quite well and that a politician who doesn't happen to be from NYC or the surrounding area can still succeed when running for Statewide office.
... said www on Oct 28, 2013 at 4:27 PM | link
While I'm still holding out for my girl Hilary, Kirsten just might be the dark horse in the next Presidential race. It would be kind of amazing for Troy/Albany/Cap Region to have a major player from our area!
KK
... said Preppy Pink Crocodile on Oct 28, 2013 at 4:28 PM | link
OK, it may take more time for grooming or maybe Kirsten has already learned how to convince people it's a sunny day despite the down pouring rain. Being two-faced is typically a shameful characteristic but not for politicians.
... said Birdie on Oct 28, 2013 at 4:30 PM | link