Good Fit
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- January
- 24
I’m sure Governor Paterson’s choice for Hillary’s replacement as NY Senator will be fine, but the carefully geographically calculated political fit that Kirsten Gillibrand represents should be interesting. After all, the majority of voters of NY didn’t elect a staunch gun-rights advocate to represent them in the US Senate for the current term. But that’s what they now have.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, January 24th, 2009 at 12:48 pm by Matt Davies.
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Kirsten Gillibrand swam upstream, running in a district that is heavily Republican and beating an incumbent in 2006. Her own party believed in her enough to pour tons of money into her campaign then, and again to support her re-election in 2008. It doesn’t serve the party, the state, or the country to turn on her suddenly. Her popularity has grown, not just in her own district, but also in the neighboring district which includes Troy, Schenectady, and very liberal Albany. She is not just a cute blonde with dimples. Don’t underestimate her. She will work very hard for New York and be a great Senator.
Mike, to be honest, I think this will be the first and last anyone will hear about this issue. This image in my sketch book was too fun to pass up (and it’s true) so that’s it in a nutshell.
What’s funny is at 5PM on Friday, my editor and I were shooting the breeze when Governor Paterson’s office called to ask what we were doing on the subject editorially. 5PM on a Friday??? It was too late as the die was cast…They are well aware of the ruckus that has ensued…But after hearing the arguments on Ms. Gillibrand’s behalf, I think she’ll do just fine.
Oh yes, I just love it when you put guns in your drawings. We get to see every anti gun nut jump up on his/her box and start to spew their point of veiw that they think we care about. Well go ahead nuts. Post away I look forward to having a good laugh at your stupidity.
Well its good that you chose a flintlock or some other ancient hunting rifle to represent the actual concern of hunters and gun owners. The shoe fit will surely cause some bunions in Hillary’s shoes. Do you oppose “Upstate politics?” Are upstaters your enemy Matt?
Perhaps you should have shown the gun aimed at Paterson’s career/foot, because he may have just managed to shoot himself in the foot and ended his career with this imbecilic choice.
This selection makes about as much sense as John McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin as his VP candidate. Too green, little appeal outside her own constituents, and not representative of the views of the majority of the state—exactly how does this person help the state in Congress and the governor in getting elected in 2010?? She enters the Senate without any gravitas and enters Statewide office without support of the statewide constituency.
@respondent:
“Are upstaters the enemy,Matt?”
That’s silly. I’ll go out on a limb here and say “no.” NRA means hunting upstate, and means something quite different a crowded downstate/urban setting. To be frank, It always seems that a resentful upstate considered downstate the enemy, enough so that Paterson felt pressured to elevate an upstate pol to the Senate to sate regional political tastes. I have never understood the dopey upstate/downstate tension and have little interest in it, other than from an observational standpoint.
Matt:
Did you ever consider that a resentful downstate considered upstate the enemy? After all, upstate does have the Capitol! And a very nice one at that…By virtue of your drawing, you acknowledge that you believe there is upstate and downstate politics and by doing so you have added to the polarization…so very unObama! and only a week into the fold!
It doesn’t matter topgunner she’s still a Democrat. Do you
really think all of the NY libs are going to vote a Republican in? No way. At least she’s a New yorker unlike
Hillary who only used the state and did nothing. I think
Gillibrand is a great choice. We now have a U.S. senator who
is against illegal alien law brakers where as in the past
we’ve had 2 jerks who are pro amnesty. She is on the citizens side on this issue in a time where our government
is selling us out on this issue including Jesus Christ
super star Obama!!!
Bulldog:
Clearly, you jest. Though I find it hard to respond on a substantive level to someone who refers to our new President as “Jesus Christ Superstar” I must, nevetheless. [I do applaud your ability to offend not only our nation’s new leader and his supporters AND the leader of one of the world’s largest religions in one fell swoop, however.]
“She’s still a Democrat”—perhaps in name, only. All you had to do was look at the front line of supporters at her news conference to see her real constituency—when was the last time you saw Al D’Amato standing behind a true Democrat?
As to Law “brakers” (should be “breakers”) and being on the “citizens side” (should be citizens’ side), it seems that even your standard bearer, John McCain, favored some type of amnesty/assimilation program.
I remain unconvinced about this woman’s abilities (which are unknown and unproven) and beliefs. (Though one may argue that politicians have no real beliefs, only what advances themselves.)
In my opinion, Paterson signed his own political death warrant with this appointment. Like you, in one fell swoop, he alienated Cuomo, Kennedy (and family) and Suozzi. That took some doing. Methinks he’s stumbled into a hornet’s nest from which he will not escape.
Topgunner, I mostly agree. I was astounded to see Alfonse D’amato (My absolute favorite political cartooning subject ever) standing ominously like some sort of chaperone with Ms.Gillibrand.
I couldn’t help wondering if (perish the thought) Governor Paterson even knew that good ol’ Al was standing up there in front of all the cameras, front and center. Sent an odd message indeed.
I would also like to point out that President Bush was in favor of immigration “amnesty.”
I never liked Bush either Matt because of his favoring of
amnesty for illegal aliens. For the most part i’m not a fan
of many politicians since most of them lie and are out for
themselves and not the people. Yes topgunner the McCain/Kennedy amnesty bill made me sick also. i’m not in
McCain’s corner either. Clearly 80% of the American people
are against any amnesty. Gillibrand is a rare find. You may
be unconvinced about this woman’s abilities but alot of people out there feel that way about Obama since he has
very little experience. As far as insulting the new leader
of our country tell me you didn’t insult Bush when he was in office? Come on now!!!
Alright, Bulldog, you’ve got me there.
I confess. I have in fact, referred to former President Bush as, among other things, “a misguided, clueless imbecile”, but hey, truth is a defense! Of course, I have never invoked a religious leader’s name in the same sentence as the former President, save those muttered curses.
Will do Topgunner. It’s just that this seem’s to be exactly
what the media is making him out to be. If he lives up to
this media hype then good for him but if he bombs the media
and Obama will look pretty foolish.
I heard all he has to do to live up to the hype was to walk on water. I also heard that he was later seen walking across a frozen pond with his kids. Amazing!
In regards to the comic, at first I thought it was a hoof being lowered into the shoe. I thought it was a knock on Saratoga Raceway or something
The only media I’ve heard making Obama out to be the Second Coming is conservative talk radio, which Bulldog says he doesn’t listen to. Hmmmm.
He’s been the media’s darling pre election and post election
McGriff or did you not notice this? watch, they will praise
his accomplishments and hide his short comings. Most media is
liberal don’t you think? Conservative “talk radio” i do not
listen to McGriff. I do watch CNN’s Lou Dobbs who bashes the
entire government which means Dem’s and Repub’s and exposes
both parties. I think it’s great. Fair and balanced is what i’m looking for. Not being a fan of the far left or right
i think Lou is rigt on the money most of the time.
A parting shot if I may—-
Can we have a moment of silent reflection on the passing of New York’s credibility in the Senate as Kirsten Gillibrand is sworn in today?
Give her a chance Topgunner. Isn’t that what everybody say’s
about Obama? Like i said how about fair and balanced?
Bulldog,
While I admire your passion on these important issues, and I think you are brave to keep posting here considering how much you are criticized, I also think you are much more conservative than you think. In your mind, your views are straight down the middle. So when you see or hear something that does not agree with those views, you think it’s biased.
You are not alone; I have a lot of family and friends who also say the mainstream media are liberal. But if that’s true why have we had a Republican president for 20 of the past 28 years and a Republican-controlled Congress for 12 of the past 14 years? Either the media aren’t liberal or they have zero influence. Either way, you shouldn’t be so concerned.
I don’t think you are giving enough credit to Obama. He became the media darling because he ran a superb campaign. He was not expected to win the nomination, let alone the presidency, when he started two years ago. He’s done very little wrong so far, and even many Republicans agree with that.
The issue now, as Obama says, is not whether a policy is conservative or liberal, but whether it works. This country is in a bad place. We need our government to work for us. It’s time to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get to work remaking America as a united nation. It’s time to stop the civil war between Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives.
I agree with you 100% on the civil war thing McGriff. You
hit the nail on the head. I just don’t see it happening though. The country is more split than it’s ever been.
Instead of both parties trying to make each other look bad
they should do what’s right for the people and the country. It
just doesn’t work that way anymore i’m sorry to say. 50 years ago maybe, but not today.
To all downstaters, Hunting and the outdoors are lifebloods of the upstate. Millions and millions of dollars spent by hunters and tourists. Not to mention those that hunt to feed their families because the job situation is pathetic upstate. Has anyone really driven around the state and taken a good look? Surprisingly, Patterson did something right here. A moderate Republican will trounce him in the Governors race. This move should help him, a little. Patterson’s horrible and we all know it. Besides, how many liberals do we have to put up with in this state? We have the highest taxes and least friendly business environment in the nation. It’s time to at least move towards the center. Isn’t that what Obama said? No ?