Democratic Primaries
In reply to the discussion: 'I don't really know her': Why Kirsten Gillibrand's campaign is stuck at 0.3% [View all]Politicub
(12,165 posts)This is not a hill I wish to die on. Shes near the bottom of my list of nominees. She overreached.
I wrote my post because it gets old that when every time Gillibrands name comes up, any discussion gets scuttled by someone invoking Franken. Thats boring in a discussion forum about primary candidates.
Her record in the senate is moderate-to-conservative. I dont think shes targeting people who think Franken whenever shes in the spotlight. There was a 60 Minutes piece featuring her, and she comes across well. Not from a policy perspective, but she is a polished candidate.
She has a record of coming from behind and winning. We ignore her strengths at our own peril. Franken doesnt register with the people she is targeting, other than casting him as a caricature in the #metoo bonafides she is burnishing.
This is the broader threat with Gillibrand. I could see her weaponizing Franken and using her stance to win votes. He wasnt a beloved senator with everyone.
He was one of my favorite senators. I didnt only admire him in the senate, I was a fan of his talk show and earlier work. It disappointed me that he didnt fight harder. The photo would have blown over if it wasnt coupled to the emotional flashpoint of his resignation. He could have beat it.
But I guess I did my part in keeping Franken as the main discussion point with Gillibrand by spawning this conversation. I am undercutting my own point.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden