CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
May 20, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
Serrano Weighs Democratic Primary Against Gillibrand
By Jonathan Allen, CQ Staff
Rep. José E. Serrano said Wednesday that he is considering a 2010 primary run against Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , even as other possible contenders have dropped out in recent days.
“If Rahm Emanuel is making calls, he has a few more to make,” Serrano said of the White House chief of staff.
Rep. Steve Israel , D-N.Y., announced May 15 that he would not run for the seat after President Obama lobbied him to stay out.
But the White House interference has rubbed many New York Democrats the wrong way — especially because Obama was an underdog who would not have won the presidency had party elders cleared a path for the party’s favorite, then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton .
Democratic officials hope to prevent Gillibrand from facing a primary, where she could be attacked from the left on the votes she cast in two-plus years representing a moderate upstate House district.
She was appointed by Gov. David A. Paterson to succeed Clinton, who became secretary of State.
In the Latino community there is residual disaffection with Gillibrand because of immigration-related votes she cast that Hispanics viewed as insensitive, and gun-control advocates have taken her to task for being a favorite of the National Rifle Association during her House tenure.
“She’s vulnerable on just about every issue, from guns to immigration,” Serrano said.
Serrano didn’t say when he would make a decision about whether to run.
Like other lawmakers in the New York delegation, Serrano would have a lot to give up: He is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and chairs its Financial Services Subcommittee.
Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney has told colleagues she will run, and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy , a fellow Democrat, has said she will run against Gillibrand if no one else does.
Comments
Jose Seranno should be ashamed, but he's proven repeatedly that shame is not a part of his portfolio. With the rest of the New York democratic party recognizing that we've got a winner in hard-working Senator Gillibrand, and uniting behind her to avoid a divisive and costly primary, what does he do? What he always does, think of himself first. Gillibrand quickly reached out to immigration advocates as soon as she was appointed and is working hard on legislation to produce a rational immigration policy that doesn't penalize the good people who are already here. He needs to get with the program, and soon.
Rep Serrano would certainly be a formidable candidate but he would have to give up his congressional seat and seniority in order to run. That is not an easy choice to make. Best thing is for him to stay put in the Congress and continue working there.
Rep Serrano would certainly be a formidable challenger but does he really want to give up his congressional seat and seniority for what at best is a long shot? These are tough decisions to make. It would be more effective for him to find common ground with Senator Gillibrand and work together on issues of great importance to him, his district and his state.
Serrano is quoted: "She's vulnerable on just about every issue, from guns to immigration." Every issue? That sounds like two to me, and it is, because those are the same two issues the media and critics have been repeating without clarification since Gillibrand was chosen for the seat. Gillibrand did not represent a "moderate" district--it was very conservative, and traditionally Republican. She beat a 4-time incumbent to win, and dutifully represented her constituents in that area, earning a 70% approval rating. The District includes the Adirondacks, which has a long history of outdoors sports, including hunting. Her favorable rating with the NRA was based on only 3 votes over the course of a single congressional term, and her position on guns has always been based on protecting the rights of sports hunters while keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals. Similarly, immigration was not a pressing issue in the 20th District, and since becoming Senator, Gillibrand has been actively meeting with advocates for immigrants to represent her new constituency. She endorsed a moratorium on immigration raids pending enactment of immigration reform, and is cosponsoring the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. Her voting record is solidly progressive. She opposed the war in Iraq, is a staunch advocate of women's rights, pay equity and choice; gay rights; stem cell research; increasing the minimum wage; and expanding affordable housing, Head Start and SCHIP. She is also greatly respected for her experience in financial services and banking. She has been endorsed by numerous progressive democratic issue-groups, including the ACLU, the League of Conservation Voters, EMILY'S List, NARAL, the Sierra Club, and the AFL- CIO. Sounds like every Tom, Dick & Jane who wants a headline, and a call from the President is popping up now.
Just another case of "Me Too!" Serrano wants a share of the spot light everyone else is getting for "thinking" about running (yeah, I'm looking at you too Scott Stringer). Apparently that's all you have to say to get a call from Rahm. Serrano must be bored or lonely.
The 4th paragraph of this article says it all. Strong Arm politics at it's worst. Hypocrisy, anyone?
Is this a bad joke, or what?
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