NY-B: Gillibrand Chosen to Replace Clinton

As expected, Gov. David Paterson (D-NY) announced Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) as the new US Senator from New York in a press conference earlier this afternoon.

However, the most peculiar thing about the press conference was the presence of former Sen. Al D'Amato (R-NY) just to Gillibrand's right (see picture), who was defeated by Chuck Schumer in the 1998 senatorial race.

This presence shows both Gillibrand's potential crossover appeal, given her centrist-to-conservative views on many issues, but it also symbolizes that potential primary trouble she may face from the progressive wing of her own party in 2010.

As I noted yesterday, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) has already pledged that she would challenge Gillibrand herself if no one else does because of Gillibrand's position on gun control.

In Gillibrand's acceptance speech this afternoon, she seemed to notice that she would not have a honeymoon period and that she might be in danger in 2010 by explicitly noting that she looked forward to working together with McCarthy in her effort to implement stronger background check legislation in gun sales.

This was a quick turnaround for Gillibrand, who received a 100% rating from the NRA in her two years as a congresswoman. She also seemed to have a similar change in view on the issue of gay marriage, in which she "assured the state's leading gay rights group yesterday that she backs same-sex marriage, and shows no other conservative leanings," according to Ben Smith.

So we don't really know what Gillibrand's true views are, but it is becoming increasingly clear that she is adapting to a broader and more liberal constituency representing the entire state than when she was representing her conservative congressional district in upstate New York.

Gillibrand, who is 42, is young enough to hold the seat for a very long time (unless she is unseated). She is considered to be one of the more conservative Democrats in the House, and is a member of the Blue Dog caucus. Smith notes that, "She's voted to the right on issues like the bailout, the balanced budget amendment, lowering the gas tax, and supporting the war."

Politico's Josh Kraushaar has compiled a list of pros and cons of picking Gillibrand as she prepares for a competitive race in 2010, which will likely be against Rep. Peter King (R-NY). Here's the gist of it:

Pros
-She has proven crossover appeal, representing a conservative congressional district upstate
-She's a prolific fundraiser
-She fits the mold of all the characteristics that Paterson was looking for in the Senator: a woman, someone from upstate, and someone that would be well-received by both the Clinton and Schumer camps

Cons
-She has had a privileged background and thus might have a hard time appealing to working-class voters
-Because of her conservative track record, she will likely be challenged by someone from the progressive wing of her party, setting up a potentially damaging primary
-Democrats have a weak bench in her district and there's a very good possibility that they will lose the seat to the GOP, which has a stronger bench to choose from

In an unexpected move, King praised Gillibrand and announced that he would wait until the summer to decide whether he would run against her. President Obama joined King in praising Gillibrand, but no public reaction has come from McCarthy yet.

Gillibrand is expected to be sworn in to the Senate by Vice President Biden on Monday.