Gov. Paterson's choice of Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand as Senator from in NY makes perfect sense. We will have a Governor and Senator in New York neither of whom were elected to that office. They, along with Sen. Schumer will be on the State ballot in 2010. With all three major statewide officers up for election the same year, the Governor had to choose someone who will balance out the ticket, and bring proven political skills to the job.
Rep. Gillibrand is a relative newcomer to the political scene. She rode the anti-Bush wave of 2006 to Congress, from a Republican-leaning district in Eastern NY. Her votes in Congress represent the views of her constituents. As Senator from NY she will tack to the mainstream of the Democratic Party, which is where New York voters are. In the two years she was in Congress, Rep. Gillibrand built up a formidable war chest and was re-elected handily. She can help the Governor in his own election in 2010, which is his primary concern right now.
People underestimate the value of political skills. We think any of us can step into the political arena and succeed. A successful politician has as much talent, training and skill in that field as a neuro-surgeon or football coach in theirs. Unlike other professionals, politicians hide their skills. Because part of their job is to look ordinary, so that they can get us to identify with their cause.
The son or daughter of a talented politician does not necessarily inherit those skills. We have examples in both directions. Exhibit A for the no talent side: George W. Bush. But Nancy Pelosi and Andrew Cuomo are arguments in the other direction. Growing up in a political family might give you a leg up, but without honing that early advantage, you will not have the right temperament for high office.
Caroline Kennedy was, by some accounts, Obama's pick to succeed Sen. Clinton. Makes sense, because he owed her and her illustrious family for early support in the Primary. But it is not Obama's decision. It is Gov. Paterson's. And he needed to decide what is in his own interest and in the interest of the Democratic Party of NY.
Rep. Gilliband is not in the pocket of the NRA, as her critics argue. Once her constituency is the whole state, she will modulate her views. That is what professional politicians do. There is nothing wrong in that. They are our representatives; their views should reflect our views. She does not need to flip-flop as Mitt Romney did. She only has to modulate her voice, to provide a balance to Sen Schumer. So that New York City voters and rural voters are both represented in the US Senate.
Her critics can always run a primary campaign against her. That would also be in the best interests of the voters. As New York becomes more of a one-party state, a contested Primary is the way for voters to have a say in the process. If someone can beat her in a primary over her pro-gun stance, all power to them.