A really good interview with NY's new Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand.

This is from the January/February issue of Inside Out Hudson Valley. Judging from the mention of the auto bailout, the interview was probably done some time in late November or early December. She comes off as incredibly bright, and very forthright.

http://www.insideouthv.com/Features/gillibrand.html

and I think she used to be a financial securities lawyer or something?

Thanks for the link - off to read the whole thing...

http://www.poststar.com/articles/2008/09/29/news/latest/doc48e12a2eca063462313622.txt


"While I am fully aware of the seriousness of the financial problems in the market, I do not believe the bill Congress voted on today was the right approach. The bill has insufficient oversight and protections and does not address the root causes of the crisis or the poor economy.

"While the bill is better than the three page document the Bush Administration tried to ram through Congress last week, Secretary Paulson’s plan is fundamentally flawed. Moreover, I do not believe Upstate New York taxpayers should pay for the excesses of Wall Street.

"I came to Congress to be an independent voice for my constituents – I will put the interests of the taxpayers first. I believe that Americans deserve a comprehensive plan that will minimize the effects that this economic fallout will have on the middle class and taxpayers, while also putting in measures to prevent this situation from happening in the future. This legislation does not sufficiently address either of these principles.

<snip>

"I believe that there is a better way. We need to help firms recapitalize, and this should be done without solely using taxpayer money. The federal government should work with firms to accurately write down the values of these assets in order to restore confidence in the system and allow investors to begin buying and selling again. Firms should be required to raise their capital standards, and if the federal government needs to intervene, then they should receive a fair equity stake in the company in order to protect the taxpayer. If taxpayer funds are invested, then we would need much stricter executive compensation limits, so that Wall Street executives are not financially rewarded for the crisis they have created. To calm fears, we should raise the FDIC insured limits. Furthermore, we need to put in place regulatory measures that will prevent this type of economic meltdown in the future, so that the middle class’ savings will not be threatened again because of Wall Street mismanagement and greed.

"It is time that we strengthen our economy and invest in the middle class. We can create new jobs, boost wages and encourage savings by investing in America’s priorities, like making America energy independent and investing in infrastructure, like rural broadband, healthcare IT and rebuilding our roads, bridges, sewers and railways. This is a serious economic crisis that deserves a better solution."

Thanks for posting this. K&R

1. Gillibrand is much-celebrated among the urbane and liberal country folk along the swankier weekender districts of the Hudson Valley for her defeat of the four-term Republican John Sweeney in a traditionally conservative district.

2. She worked up until the day she gave birth to her second son in May, 2008, earning her a standing ovation on the floor of the House. Only six women have given birth while serving in the U.S. Congress.

3. She is a member of the Congressional Blue Dog Democrats, a coalition of moderate and conservative-leaning Dems able to wrest seats away from Republicans in districts long under conservative control.

4. She was one of the 99 House Democrats to vote against the $700 billion bailout of the banks, also known as the much-maligned TARP, handing a stunning defeat to Nancy Pelosi on the issue. She maintained her no vote on the second bailout bill that ultimately passed, calling it "fundamentally flawed."

5. She opposes gun control. In a district where the deer are so invasive that they practically sleep on your patio at night, if you want to run, you gotta be pro-gun.

6. She is considered a friend of the family farmer, and a strong voice against the agribusiness-control of the Committee on Agriculture on which she serves.

http://www.wowowow.com/post/6-things-know-about-kirsten-gillibrand-182528


I say, let's give her a chance. She is a Democrat after all.

we have real Blue Dogs here in Oklahoma and she isn't even close...

Blue Dogs are pro-life, Gillibrand isn't
Blue Dogs voted against expansion of SCHIP, Gillibrand didn't
Blue Dogs are against universal health care, Gillibrand isn't
Blue Dogs are against marriage equality, Gillibrand isn't

Blue Dogs dont get ratings like these: NARAL (100), ACLU (100), NAACP (96), NEA (gave her an 'A'), AFL-CIO (96), and NOW (100).

And while I believe she is dead wrong in her position against a path to citizenship for illegal aliens, I would trade either of our senators (repukes Inhofe & Coburn) for Gillibrand in a New York minute.