Is it too early for Senator Bill Clinton (NY) as replacement or U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand?

[CK_John]

U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand is from a very conservative district and is getting a lot of mention in Albany. Too DINO for my taste but the Big Dawg would be the best choice.

[Captain Hilts]

1. With nearly 4 years left in the term, I think they ought to have an election/primary.

But it would be kinda cool for Bubba to get the nod.

[whistler162]

17. Actually the initial appointment is until 2010

when the special election will be held for the remainder of Senator Clinton's term, until 2012. Then in 2012 the normal election cycle for that Senate seat will occur.

So like in Delaware having someone, a caretaker, Bill Clinton or whoever be appointed by Gov. Paterson maybe in the best interest of any Democrat that wants to run in 2010.

[Captain Hilts]

28. Ah..I was misinformed - thanks!

[cali]

2. Bill will not replace Hillary in the Senate. You can take that to the bank.

[CK_John]

4. Is any bank safe enough? n/t

[cali]

7. Yes. Please see all the articles about

The Orwell National Bank of Vermont that have been published lately.

[Alexander]

3. What about RFK Jr. or Jerry Nadler instead?

[CK_John]

6. Como or Bloomberg should probably should be in the mix. n/t

[Ichingcarpenter]

15. Bill Kristol really wants Como as do other Faux talking heads

they wouldn't mind Bloomberg either. Wonder why?
I really don't wonder why but thought I'd be rhetorical.

Bill's retired and he an't coming back

[Alexander]

16. I like Cuomo better.

Bloomberg agrees with both parties on various issues and would probably be a swing vote.

[leftynyc]

9. It should go to Nita Lowey

She stepped aside in 2000 in order for Hillary to run. She's a good, reliable liberal and women haven't achieved such a level of parity in our government that we shouldn't also look at replacing one with another.

[NYCGirl]

14. She just withdrew herself from consideration

Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester) -- considered to be a frontrunner to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate -- is withdrawing herself from consideration, her spokesman tells Politico.

The 11-term congresswoman, who stepped aside to allow Clinton to run in 2000, thinks she can "be more effective" in the House where she chairs the homeland subcommittee on the appropriations.

Several possible Lowey competitors told Politico they would have stepped aside if Lowey had pushed for the job. But in recent days, she had begun telling colleagues she had no interest in relinquishing her role as a "cardinal" -- one of the House's top appropriators.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/1208/Lowey_doesnt_want_Clintons_Senate_seat.html

[leftynyc]

26. As one of her constituents, I'm glad

But she would have made a great Senator as well.

[Renew Deal]

10. Or Tom Suozzi!

He's more the executive type, but I think he'd do a good job.

[JoFerret]

31. Total hack imo

[Raineyb]

25. I'd have no problem with either of them n/t

Regards

[tomg]

5. Rather than Gillibrand or Bill Clinton, I would prefer to

see Maurice Hinchey. But that won't happen.

[tekisui]

8. No to Bill in the Senate.

Bad choice. Very bad.

[CK_John]

13. In New York politics he may be the safe choice. n/t

[Raineyb]

23. No he wouldn't

New York has plenty of Democrats who can fill the position and may actually want to do it for some time rather than use the office as a springboard for "bigger and better" things.

I rather resent the implication that only a Clinton can fill that seat. We had plenty of Democrats who can fill that seat including one who had every intention of running before the party apparatus bulldozed Mrs. Clinton into the seat. And should the Clintons decide that they've tired of being New Yorkers we'll still have plenty of good Democrats who can fill that seat.

This New Yorker would like to see an actual New Yorker take the seat. Preferably one who is more progressive than Senator Clinton is.

Regards

[Hekate]

11. Why would he even want to? Even curtailed a bit, the whole world is his stage...

... and playground. Like Al Gore, the Big Dog has moved on from Washington.

Hekate

[AlCzervik]

12. I doubt Bill Clinton would want to be a senator.

[Radical Activist]

18. Hillary as SOS makes Bill being in Congress impossible.

A member of Congress needs to be free to say anything and represent the district. Bill agreed to have his foreign speaking engagements reviewed by the Obama admin. Former Presidents traditionally do not speak out against sitting Presidents, especially of the same party. So, it doesn't make sense, besides the fact that it would be a big step down for Bill who's an international figure. I'm sure Obama will have higher profile uses for him.

[eggplant]

19. Not a chance

Why go from being an Ex-Prez to Senator or worse, Representative? He has zero reason to do it.

As for Gillibrand, she's my rep too and while she hasn't voted my interests 100%, she *is* representing her district, and doing it quite well. Her initial election two years ago was really a referendum against wife-beating John Sweeney. The fact that she handily retained her seat this year means that the district likes her. Let's not forget, NY-20 is 60% republican, so her re-election says a lot.

The dems have been rightly pissed at Bush for being so absurdly partisan. It would seem a bit disingenuous to ask Gillibrand to only represent "liberal" causes, particularly given our minority status in the district.

I would have liked her to vote down telecom immunity, but I was very happy she voted against the bailout *both times*. So while we can't always get what we want, we just might find we get what we need. (Apologies to Mick.)

[Danger Mouse]

32. It helped that the Repulicans ran an eltist rich scumbag against her.

I'm so glad to see Sandy Treadwell fade away.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

20. Slaughter's name has been floated.

Mostly because she'll be a good seat holder until an election would occur. She's too old for a full freshman term of her own.

[PBS Poll-435]

29. I doubt she would want to give up her gavel in "Rules" to become a freshman Senator.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

30. Rules ain't as prestigious as its made out to be.

They're lapdogs for the Speaker and Minority Leader, respectively. Chairing the committee isn't as powerful as chairing approps, ways and means, or something of that nature.

[Sebastian Doyle]

21. Who ever the next NY Senator is, it better be a REAL Liberal.

I don't live in New York, but for Christ's sake, us Real Democrats should get something out of this fiasco. One less DLC roadblock in the Senate isn't too much to ask for, is it?

[Raineyb]

24. I don't think so.

And I do live in New York and would like to see a real liberal in the seat as well. Preferably one who actually listens on occasion.

Regards

[whistler162]

22. Possibly H. Carl McCall to fill the 2 year gap between

appointment and special election.

A little to old for a full term, 73 this year, but might be a good place holder Senator.

[Nite Owl]

27. Gillibrand is my rep

she is a blue dog and definitely too conservative to win a general election downstate in 2010. I hope it isn't her.
RFK,jr would be my first pick.

[JoFerret]

34. If she win in Duchess and etc.

she can win statewide.

[Danger Mouse]

35. She's my rep. She'd carry upstate NY easily, and the rest of the state?

What are the gonna do, vote republican?

[Raineyb]

45. I didn't know who she is but based on THAT comment

I don't want her.

Regards

[political_Dem]

33. Not Clinton, but RFK, Jr. would do.

[Danger Mouse]

36. Kirsten's my rep. She's not the best, but I really respect her.

She's done a great job of holding onto her seat in a deep red district. That she can win such a red district, shows that she can carry the whole state. Easily.

[Tom Rinaldo]

38. Almost any Democrat could carry the whole state easily

If Republicans somehow found a really good candidate, Kirsten would hurt us because she would have a harder time getting the liberal base off our asses for her. I respect her talent in winning over a red district and all of that, but I look for moderate Democrats to run from Nebraska, not New York.

[Danger Mouse]

40. Good point. Well made. I still wouldn't object to her, but I'm biased because she's my rep.

[Tom Rinaldo]

37. God no, not either one of them

Bill can't be crowding that stage right now, and Kirsten may have been the least conservative person her district would elect, but she is one of the most conservative NY Democrats in Congress. What a waste of a New York Senate seat that would be.

[cherokeeprogressive]

39. Bubba is CERTAINLY too big for a Senator's britches.

Lest you think we need a Senator acting like the Senate's Ambassador at Large to the World.

[saltpoint]

41. I hope it is neither of those two.

[davidpdx]

42. I have no idea who Gillibrand is, but on Bill Clinton

I think that one is a no. He's got his foundation work and other stuff to keep him busy. New York deserves to be represented by someone from that state. There are plenty of good people out that.

[Zombie2]

43. It's already been LEAKED....

...to me that Bill Clinton has already accepted the position. I cannot release the source at this time, but they assured me it's a done deal.

[shaniqua6392]

44. Why would Bill Clinton want to go from being where he is now

to number 100 in the Senate? Everyone forgets that he has his own life now and he seems pretty happy with it. He is going to do the right thing for his wife and stay in the background. It is the media that is stirring up these rumors, as usual. He is well respected around the world and I don't think he will jeopardize that. I think the New York Governor will appoint a woman or a minority to fill her seat. I am not sure about Gillibrand though.