Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola), who is leading the Democratic opposition to Gillibrand, will today begin building the structure of a 2010 primary challenge, a McCarthy aide said.
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McCarthy, whose opposition to Gillibrand is based on Gillibrand's history of opposing gun-control laws, will meet today with her fundraising team to begin planning a primary challenge to Gillibrand in 2010, said her spokesman, Ray Zaccaro.
"She's gearing herself up and getting herself organized," Zaccaro said.
http://www.newsday.com/...
And based on a new poll by Quinnipiac, McCarthy has good reason to feel comfortable about the challenge; more Democrats disapprove of the choice of Gillibrand than approve.
A new poll suggests Republicans in New York are happier than Democrats with the selection of Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) as the state’s next senator -- a fact that could forestall primary peril for the centrist lawmaker.
More than half – 52 percent – of Republicans approved of the appointment, while just 30 percent disapproved. Meanwhile, more Democrats disapproved than approved, by a 43-to-42 margin.
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D) is reportedly gearing up for a primary challenge to Gillibrand in 2010, citing Gillibrand’s support from the National Rifle Association (NRA).
The party establishment is behind Gillibrand, but McCarthy is a popular congresswoman from Long Island, while Gillibrand is from upstate. The New York City area generally determines statewide races in the Democratic primary.
http://thehill.com/...
Meanwhile, controversy continues to boil over Al D'Amato's presence at the announcement of Gillibrand's selection.
Former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato's stunning front-row positioning by the side of new Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand during her introduction on Friday generated buzz all weekend.
Under Gov. David A. Paterson's unpredictable stewardship, it is as if the dominant state Democratic Party, with Gillibrand's ascension, officially opened its own Republican wing. D'Amato's position before the cameras in Albany was better than Sen. Charles Schumer's - no small feat - even if the latter had a speaking role.
It might have been fun to see Long Island's D'Amato, whose lobbying clients have ranged from developers to online gambling interests to bus operators, take a cue from airport limo drivers and hold up a cardboard sign bearing the name of his firm, Park Strategies. Expect him to have no access problems. Gillibrand, long ago known as Tina Rutnik, had served as an intern for D'Amato. Her father Douglas P. Rutnik, a politically connected lawyer, has had business and social dealings for years with D'Amato.
In fact, Rutnik's long-noted participation in a land deal with former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno prompted few to wonder if Bruno would have been there too - had he not instead been in court pleading not guilty to corruption charges.
http://www.newsday.com/...
What this all means is a knock down, drag out, brawl up to the primary in September 2010. The fight pits the Democratic, and significant parts of the Republican, establishment against progressives, gun control supporters and those turned off by Gillibrand's anti-immigrant stance. It will be Gillibrand's corporate money against McCarthy's name recognition and NYC metropolitan area base. The Clintons, Chuck Schumer, David Paterson and Al D'Amato against McCarthy. A real David vs. Goliath battle. Of course, we all know how that one turned out.