NY-Sen-B: Israel Set to Challenge Gillibrand?

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/4936/nysenb-israel-set-to-challenge-gillibrand

A couple of slightly differing reports. The NY Post says:

Long Island Congressman Steve Israel will announce plans to challenge US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in next year's Democratic primary as early as tomorrow, several sources said yesterday.
The Suffolk County Democrat, who was first elected to Congress in 2000 and is a member of the Appropriations Committee, told several members of the state's congressional delegation of his plans to challenge Gillibrand late Friday, congressional sources revealed.

Glenn Thrush at the Politico says Israel will form an exploratory committee rather than launch a formal challenge. These days, that seems to be a distinction without a difference - I haven't crunched any numbers, but it sure feels like many if not most prominent exploratory committees turn into the real thing. An Israel spokesman, though, is denying that there is any sort of announcement planned for this week.

Supposedly, Carolyn Maloney will soon create an exploratory committee, too. I imagine if one or both of these folks get in, Carolyn McCarthy will bow out, citing her desire to see someone younger challenge Gillibrand (she's older than both Maloney and Israel). But if either Israel or Maloney are to have any chance, I can't imagine Gillibrand would be beatable in a three-way race. Someone's gonna have to give.

Isn't that sweet?

If Israel is LESS of a right wing democrat, I hope he runs and wins the Primary. :-)

In case you weren't aware, she ran in 2006 on a platform that included Medicare-for-all. But hey, don't let facts get in the way of your image of her as a "right wing" Democrat, what with her support of single-payer and gay marriage.

Not a NYer so it doesn't matter. She was rep for one of the most conservative districts in NY and now she's representing the entire state so a move to the left is expected. Unless she really goes against the progressive grain, I would personally like to save the money and trouble of a primary. And I have no issue with her position on guns.

.. a group in the United States Congress who has a strong interest in promoting civility of Congress and change the atmosphere in which Congress works. They aim at bringing the two political parties together to work toward creating a "gray area" where tough decisions can be worked out.

In 2006, Israel harshly criticized Jimmy Carter for his book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid and at the same time criticized the Palestinian government.

Member (or former member) of the "Blue Dog" Coalition of conservative Democrats.

Israel is a member of the Democratic Leadership Council

http://www.issues2000.org/NY/Steve_Israel_Principles_+_Values.htm

The person I was replying to was ready to jump behind Israel because Gillibrand is to conservative for her.

But not about the other person.