Maloney Challenging Gillibrand for U.S. Senate
July 2, 2009
by Dr. Nancy Hopkins
|(Nancy’s piece has been picked up by Politicker NY.)
The New Agenda has expressed excitement that several 2010 gubernatorial races may shape up to be a female Democrat vs. a female Republican (Oklahoma, New Mexico, Florida), because perhaps then the contest can be about issues rather than hairdos and ankles. But what’s shaping up to be a female vs. female competition in the New York Democratic Senate primary is more complex.
U.S. Sen. Gillibrand
The fight is for the U.S. Senate Seat now held by Kirsten Gillibrand, appointed by Gov. Patterson to fill the role when Hillary Clinton moved up to Secretary of State. Although U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney won’t officially declare for a couple of weeks, the NY Daily News quotes an Maloney advisor as saying:
She’s definitely decided to run. She’s in it.
Such a primary fight might get bloody. The Daily News says that Maloney has criticized Gillibrand:
for her “evolving” stances on guns, Immigration and the economic crisis. Maloney also questioned Gillibrand’s “character.”
Establishment Democrats would like to avoid a primary fight that might weaken the nominee prior to a general election battle. Daily News reports that:
At [Sen. Chuck] Shumer’s request, President Obama phoned Long Island Rep. Steve Israel in may to nudge him out [of the race]. Just last week, Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said Gillibrand has the White House’s support.
The NY Times reports that Maloney:
has been thwarted in her efforts to hire staff members. Some longtime supporters and interest groups are abandoning her. And an initiative she has worked on for seven years – to help workers exposed to toxic particles at the World Trade Center site – is being advanced by Ms. Gillibrand with the support of Senate elders.
U.S. Rep. Maloney
However, Maloney is not totally without friends. Manhattan Media reports that Rep. Charles Rangel and former Rep. Geraldine Ferraro attended a fundraiser and that former President Bill Clinton will headline a fundraiser later this month. Since those events originally were set up to benefit Maloney’s House re-election bid, and it’s unclear whether any of the headliners will go on to endorse her Senate run.
Both of these women are laudable representatives, and I wish that rather than a primary that leaves one or both of them damaged, there were a way that both of them could continue to build their public service careers. On the bright side, perhaps its a sign of progress that in a field where only 17% of the US Senate is women, there are two spectacular female candidates in the running from a single state (NY). Bravo!
As long as women who support or vote for one or the other don’t pull any whiney “My BFF didn’t get in so I’m staying home” garbage.
Great article!
I believe the media would like nothing better then a cat fight to improve their ratings. The press will do everything it can to stoke the fire and publish semi-truths, innuendo etc. in order to prolong and divide. My hope is that these campaigns can be based on competence, experience and resume. Unfortunately we know from the primary and last election that the reality base has been demeaned by the process, the media and the money. Perhaps if the leading women’s groups monitor the reporting and call out any press organization who goes beyond the issues and uses gossipy hearsay, unnamed sources, or inappropriate reporting tactics we might be able to show the country how real women of substance can compete in an intelligent and gracious manner to work towards the public good.
I admire and appreciate the work of both these women as well Nancy. Two true activists that we need fighting for the women of this country. I like having them both in DC!
In New York, with a late September primary, the very short period between a bruising primary and the general election leaves too little time for the nominee to recover from the damage done or to rebuild the financial resources to wage a successful general election campaign. With Maloney already attacking Gillibrand’s “character”, this seems certain to be a bitter personal fight in which both women lose stature and respect. Both women are very good at their jobs and are needed in the House and the Senate, respectively. I hope Maloney reconsiders and makes good use of her seniority and new-found power in the House. Gillibrand shows promise to become a truly gifted leader in the Senate. A primary will be a lose-lose for New York progressive women.
Carolyn,
If you truly are the feminist you claim to be, support Gillibrand.
Clinton vs. Palin in 2012! Watch the terrified Democratic and Republican men find the most conservative candidates to challenge them! Obama! Romney!
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