When Hillary Clinton left her New York senator post, it began a battle that included Caroline Kennedy, Fran Drescher, and the eventual successor Gov. David Paterson appointed, Kirsten Gillibrand. But Gillibrand has only until 2010 to serve, and then she’ll face a real election. Mounting a battle for her seat already? Openly gay state Suffolk County legislator Jon Cooper, who says Gillibrand “has not been a strong supporter” on gay rights.
“I consider myself progressive on the important issues,” Cooper tells Newsday, while pointing out that his potential opponent made “a 180 degree turnabout” — and we all know flip-flopping on issues can be a political death sentence.
And, well, Cooper is right. Before Gillibrand was a U.S. senator, she was a congresswoman, and in that position she didn’t do very much for gay rights. But overnight and with single phone calls, as Queerty reported, she got gay rights organizations to back her by, uh, suddenly changing her position and backing measures like the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
If Cooper (who has five adopted children with partner Rob) does mount a campaign — one that would cost an estimated $20-30 million — and won, he would become the first openly gay senator in the United States. Then again, as Long Island’s campaign chairman for Barack Obama, he raised an estimated $1 million for the now-president. And if he runs in 2010, the man in the White House might have to pay some favors owed Cooper, putting our commander-in-chief in the awkward position of choosing between a sitting senator and an old friend.
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More unclear, though, is whether the campaign can even get off the ground. The Newsday article is really just a planted seed — to see what sort of traction even the idea of Cooper running might have with fellow Democrats.
radg
So we’re going to attack Gillibrand because she switched to OUR side? Good for her, she saw the light! She was representing a very conservative district before, and who says Cooper would have ANY traction upstate?? I’m not fawning over Kristen or anythin, just sayin’
Jon B
Ummm… as a native Long Islander, I’ll say without a bit of hesitation that getting $1 million in contributions for a democratic candidate is not a job well done. Long Island has a population of several million people, and is one of the largest concentrations of wealth in the country.
Sam E
Please look at Gillibrand more carefully. Ever since she entered politics she has been in favor of Civil Unions with full equal rights for same sex partners. She hesitated over use of the word ‘marriage’ because she felt that many people would find it easier to accept the idea of a ‘Civil Union’, especially in the district she represented. However, she’s now made it clear that she supports marriage and is the first New York Senator to do so.
Incidentally, she has a remarkable 78% approval rating in the district she represented and is supported by a host of progressive organizations.
The Gay Numbers
@radg: No, we are attacking her because think she’s a liar, and that the minute she wins, she’ll flip again. But, I suspect like sites like Daily Kos , you know that.
The Gay Numbers
@Sam E: Uhm- the very first line is not true. I also know her record on things like immigration, which is far right. I don’t care what her ratings is in a Republican district because the state is Democratic, has a high gay population, and , oh yeah, immigrant. Gays supporting someone who is anti immingrant is exactly why no one comes out to support us. They believe we will throw them under the bus.
donsnyc
Gillibrand has been a flip flopper on some issues including gay rights, now that she has come to the national scene she has changed her positions. Who knows when she will flip again?
As a gay New Yorker, I will NOT support someone who flip flops on our rights. Never again.
CHIP
Cooper is not a state legislator. He’s a Suffolk County legislator. Very few non-lgbt people know of him outside the circulation of Newsday, the Long Island paper…
The Gay Numbers
@CHIP: This opens the door for others to run against Gillibrand.
CHIP
Lol, it will be Congresswoman McCarthy from Nassau County, Congressman Steve Israel from Suffolk/Nassau, Carolyn Maloney from Manhattan, Legis. Cooper….so 4 pols from downstate trying to push out the centrist Democrat from upstate…that’s going to help reignite that stupid annual bill in the State Assembly/Senate to split New York at the Westchester or Rockland County border! Yes if there’s 7 people running all one needs is maybe 15% to win the primary…but those upstate will rally behind Sen. Gillibrand if she’s the only one running north of the Tappan Zee bridge (many consider that the border between upstate/downstate)!!! Might as well shoot each other in the foot…it will be quicker and cheaper!
The Gay Numbers
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jeanne spivey
Not only does the little-known and inexperienced Cooper lack the stature to be Senator from New York, but this trial balloon trivializes the position. For him to believe that he will be the nominee if he gets fifteen percent of the vote in the primary is simply dumb. Like Carolyn McCarthy, he’s just another one-trick pony who’s looking for his fifteen minutes.
Penny Quince
Kirsten Gillibrand has been endorsed by the ACLU, the NAACP, the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters, EMILY’S Lists, and Planned Parenthood. She is, in fact, a progressive democrat and has always been one. Her support for Gay Marriage is entirely consistent with her strong progressive leadership on other issues. Jon Cooper’s ego has gotten way ahead of his better judgement. Kirsten has earned the support of the gay and lesbian community. Do the right thing!
fran20
You use the term “Flip Flopper” in the heading because it’s an easy label used to brand Gillibrand in a negative light. Then, in the text you say in her former role she “didn’t do much” for gay rights, but now is championing the cause. That’s hardly a flip-flop. It was not a focal point for her before, because she represented my District, a conservative, agricultural region. Consequently, she became an expert in agricultural issues. She was accessible, transparent, hard-working, intelligent and dedicated as an advocate for her constituents. That’s how she sees her role: as a public advocate for the people she represents. Now, her constituent base has radically changed, and she is working diligently to master a wide range of complex and varied issues to represent the entire state–that includes gay rights. She will do an excellent job if people do not rush to judgment and give her a chance to serve before undermining her efforts.
ParadoxFarm
Contrary to what is being reported, Kirsten Gillibrand has always been a very strong supporter of the LGBT community and it is her detractors who are trying to portray her as a flip-flopper. How else to explain the support she has always received from this community? As for the immigration and gun issues, you should all be happy that she is taking a hard look at these issues and is willing to take a more moderate position–instead of criticizing her, you should be praising her for her willingness to listen to her constituents and change when she feels she needs to. Remember what we thought of George Bush and his “stay the course” mentality? Is that what you really want from your elected officials?
stevie
Lets review history
Malcolm Smith said to us if we helped him get a majority, the first thing he would do is pass a Gay Marriage Act – liar
Patterson said the same thing too – liar
Now Gillibrand in one day become pro gay marriage.
Do I have to fill in the last part?
CHIP
Malcolm Smith didnt realize how small of a margin he’d get, and that there would be 3 democrats using their religious conservatism as a way to hold the leadership hostage and get paid more than their fellow senators (actually, I think it was all about the money, at least 2 of the 3 “religious” senators need to pay lots of legal fees to fight all the ethics investigations and criminal investigations they are facing).
The Governor can’t sign a law for gay marriage if both legislative branches don’t pass the law.
I will take Gillinbrand at face value for now. Let’s see what type of legislation makes it’s way to the Senate, and how she votes on it. Plus, let her be invited to march at the Gay Pride parade in NYC or at least in Albany. If she declines and also votes against legislation deemed gay friendly by HRC, then people can start questioning her stances.
watcher
I don’t understand why anyone would come out of the gate for Gillibrand.
Why should she be the default democratic candidate? Because she’s the current NY senator??? But WAIT, how did she get that gig.. oh yeah, she was appointed NOT elected.
She isn’t my first choice by the LONG shot. I would prefer someone else in 2010. No more blue dogs in the senate! NY is a PROGRESSIVE state and we need real progressive representation — not a conservative dem from Upstate who the Governor appointed to win political points in his re-election bid.
I definitely won’t be voting of Patterson and I will NOT vote for Gillibrand either!!!!
Marilyn Fitterman
Jon Cooper has numerous times thrown his hat in against the very people who helped him get where he is. As a gay man he should most certainly understand oppression of women and be supportive as we women attempt to gain equality which is 52% of the population yet only 17% of elected officials. Jon Cooper as a gay man still earns 100 cents on the dollar while women whether gay or straight still earn only 79 cents. Give us a break Jon and stay where you are making all these Nanny laws. Jon’s ego has gotten in the way of good politics.
Bill
Mark my words, folks. This woman is not to be trusted. She is only trying to get our votes. She is NOT on our side of ANYTHING.
Do some research. She’s not our friend. She is using us to advance her own political agenda. You know, kind of like our President.
DO NOT TRUST THIS WOMAN WITH YOUR EQUALITY AS A CITIZEN.
SHE IS USING US.