Many worried after New York's Junior Senator had such a banner year in 2010, it'd be hard to come up with a second act. But, Kirsten Gillibrand is showing no signs of slowing down.
She is, at this moment, working her tail off to pass New York's marriage equality bill. She has been totally there for the LGBT community including taping the spot above for HRC's New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign. She has promised to talk to all wavering Senators personally—Democrat and Republican. I am hearing independent reports that the arm-twisting persuasion campaign her office is involved in is very real.
She is simultaneously investing a lot of time and effort in NY's 26 House District special election on behalf of Kathy Hochul. This has led The Hill to conclude she's leading the charge:
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) has emerged as one of the most prominent supporters of New York House candidate Kathy Hochul.
Washington Democrats have been keeping their distance from Hochul, the party's nominee in the May 24 special election for former Rep. Chris Lee's (R-N.Y.) seat. Meanwhile, Republicans leaders including Rep. Pete Sessions (Texas) and Speaker John Boehner (Ohio) have lent their backing to the GOP nominee, Jane Corwin.
Inquiring minds would like to know, does this woman sleep?
Kirsten was very early on the scene endorsing Kathy back on May 3rd with an email blast and fundraising pitches on DailyKos and The Albany Project.
The funny thing is, right about the same time insiders to New York politics where wondering, "Where is the DCCC?" Douglas Turner at the Buffalo News lays a pretty scathing smackdown on the DCCC Chair saying, "To prepare for this battle, [Steve] Israel is hiding under his desk." Ouch. From May 9th:
According to published and private polls, this toxic GOP rhetoric gives the intrepid Hochul better than a good chance to win in a heavily Republican district. Realizing that this is their best chance this year to send a signal across the country, Democrats high (reportedly including Schumer) and low have begged Israel to release some of the $4.7 million in cash that the DCCC is sitting on for Hochul’s campaign.
So far, the committee has refused. Speaking not for direct attribution, some whined that they need to “preserve resources” for next year and that Israel would look bad getting into the Hochul race should she lose. But somehow, Israel wrote checks for nearly $16 million for consultants and other DCCC expenses in the first three months of the year.
Fortunately, Kirsten set up a devoted
ActBlue page for Kathy. On that same day, she talked about Kathy during her EMILY's List Facebook chat:
Since then, the DCCC has finally noticed the race, and Senator Chuck Schumer has also campaigned with her. And Kathy has been endorsed by the big papers in the district and Corwin has been endorsed by Carl Paladino! (Which is actually a very bad thing, for non-New Yorkers of you who don't know about this, or this, or this.)
All of which is how The Hill came to conclude "Sen. Gillibrand Leads Charge For NY Special Election Candidate."
Kirsten is going to the district on Saturday to campaign with Kathy. The message being: she led the way with Kathy from the start, putting her "we need more women elected to office" money where her mouth is.
This is actually a goal I'm totally down with. I think the country might run a little better if we had 50 women Senators and 218 Congresswomen. At least, let's just say, it's an experiment in Democracy I'd like to see the United States try. Really, what do we have to lose?
So long as they aren't all candidates supported by SarahPAC. (Shudder!) Maybe we'll soon see a KirstenPac. (Or a DSCC chairmanship in her future?)
I personally consider covering my Junior Senator's activities a part of my own feminist portfolio. Senator Gillibrand demonstrates leadership by example. Again and again I am impressed how this smart, strong woman gets things done. A lot of the big boys in the Capital Hill Club could learn a thing or two from her.
But she also discussed on the DailyBeast Live chat, some of the concerns women have about entering electoral politics:
“… some of the hesitation is due to the vitriol and negative atmosphere, some is the difficult lifestyle/demands, etc.”
Yes, "difficult lifestyle/demands."
Which brings me to my concern.
Senator, please remember, you can't save New York, women, the gays of New York (and America!), the 9/11 heroes, the babies, and pull Steve Israel's fat out of the fire all by yourself. Here's an idea: see if you can get some of your colleagues to do some work and lighten the load? As I recall, there are 99 of them, yes?
You need to think about pacing yourself. These are clearly vitally important tasks you've taken on, and we're all very grateful. I'm a big beneficiary of your hard work. Just promise me you'll take a long weekend soon? Every soldier needs a furlough.
You've got a handsome husband, who, though I have never met him, I hear he's quite the charmer. And, you have a couple of insanely adorable kids. So please, just promise me, after Kathy's elected and you've helped us pass marriage equality, you'll recharge your batteries in the loving company of your family. You're a young woman and we really need you around stick around for the long haul. We need you fresh in 2016.
Single-payer can wait until July or so? OK?
Update: Still at work, via Twitter:
@SenGillibrand Just 6 days until special election in #NY26! Pls make calls from home for @KathyHochul Kathy Hochul (NY-26) Phone Bank W/your help, I know she can win!
Details on the event Saturday:
On Saturday, United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will campaign with Kathy Hochul, candidate for New York’s 26th Congressional District. Senator Gillibrand will join Kathy Hochul at a campaign rally in Amherst.
Senator Gillibrand and Hochul will speak about the need to protect Medicare.
EVENT: U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to campaign with Kathy Hochul
DATE: Saturday, May 21, 2011
TIME: 2:30 PM (Media encouraged to arrive by 2:15 PM)
WHERE: UAW Union Hall, 35 George Karl Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14221 (Town of Amherst)
You could find worse things to do with your time than go meet the next Representative for NY-26, and
the next President your United States Senator.