Results tagged “carolynmccarthy”

If a strongly-worded recommendation from Chuck Schumer wasn't enough to discourage Congressman Steve Israel from challenging Kirsten Gillibrand in next year's Democratic primary for Senate, party brass brought in the big boss to make sure he knew how serious the sentiment was. Israel announced that he had decided not to run yesterday shortly after receiving a call from President Obama. Israel said, "When (the president) asked me to take a leadership role in fighting for his agenda, I wasn't about to say no. He believes that at this critical time...that party unity is important." Carolyn Maloney may be next potential challenger pushed to the side, but it doesn't appear that there is any sign of retreat from Gillibrand's most visible foe since entering the Senate, Carolyn McCarthy. She may also have to face labor activist Jonathan Tasini, who told Politico, "Had the party leadership sought to “clear the field” in 2008 and control a vigorous debate about the direction of our party and our country, Barack Obama would not be president today."

Senators Schumer and Gillibrand were in town yesterday asking President Obama to eliminate the Tiahrt Amendment, which requires the FBI to destroy records of gun buyer's background checks within 24 hours. Gillibrand had co-sponsored the law while she was in Congress and said, "In my previous district, we didn't have gang violence, and we didn't have the gun violence that we have throughout New York." Schumer supported her change in stance because he said that by representing all of New York, "You meet more people, you grow." But potential primary opponent Carolyn McCarthy still sounds unconvinced, telling the News, "I thought it was strange that she signed on, given she was one of the people who wrote that law." One Democratic operative added, "She could hurt your neck, watching her move."

New York Congressional Democrats are warning the state chairwoman not to anoint Kirsten Gillibrand as the party's candidate for Senate in 2010 just yet. Ten representatives signed a letter sent to the party's chair, June O'Neill, telling her not to use party resources to back the incumbent senator. The letter said, "The members of the Democratic State Committee deserve to make a [Senate] choice without being impaired or prejudiced in any way...Some of the cosigners of this letter may support Senator Gillibrand. Some are considering running for the seat." Those who signed and are considering a run include Carolyn McCarthy, Carolyn Maloney and Steve Israel. Gillibrand's reception from many state Dems since being named to the Senate in January has been chilly to say the least. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer was the most recent Democrat to make it clear that he'd like to see another Democrat representing New York in the Senate—even if he has to run to do it.

When Kirsten Gillibrand gets sworn into the US Senate tomorrow, she will not only be the newest member of the legislative body, she will also be the youngest senator at 42. While she hasn't seemed particularly nervous or uneasy with what many see as a surprising selection from Governor Paterson, she admitted today (on Today) that like most, she "assumed (Caroline Kennedy) would be the senator."

With Governor Paterson's appointment of Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to take Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, the critics are sounding off on her stance on gun control. Most notably, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, a fellow Democrat, has been saying she will challenge Gillibrand in 2010 or find someone who can.