Right Wing Gillibrand Continues to Destroy Democratic Party

[IndianaGreen]

Kirsten rocks!

Right Wing Gillibrand Continues to Destroy Democratic Party

By Steven Thrasher in Featured, Politics

Today, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand blogged about her unyielding support to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. We have to wonder, what happened to the too conservative Gillibrand that was once predicted? When Gov. Paterson tapped her from New York's Republican-leaning 20th district, he angered and alienated just about every liberal dynasty and constituency possible: the Kennedys, the Cuomos, Carolyn Maloney, gun control enthusiasts, and anti-smoking advocates. Liberal fears were ripe that the one-time tobacco lawyer and gun owner would put an AK-47 in the hand of every child and a Joe the Camel poster on their bedroom wall. Gays and lesbians were concerned that she wasn't quite there on gay marriage, and she'd voted against repealing DOMA.

Paterson missed a golden opportunity to appoint a future gubernatorial rival, and instead gambled a statewide Senate seat on the most conservative member of New York's house delegation. (He could afford to do that back then -- his approval numbers were comfortably in the double digits.)

And did we get a Blue Dog Democrat? Hardly. Gillibrand blogs on the Huffington Post nearly as often as Nora Ephorn. Her views on gun control "evolved" rather quickly. Civil Unions instead of marriage? That was yesterday. Marriage for everyone, says today's Senator, and toss out DADT while you're at it! She vocally wants a public option for health care. She was one of just seven -- 7! -- senators to vote to continue funding ACORN, inspiring the Post to call her Sen. Jello Brand.

Heck, she's so liberal now she broke with Marty Markowitz, Al Gore and Barack Obama and actually endorsed Bill Thompson for mayor! At this rate, Comrade Gillibrand might even endorse the man who put her on the map, though she's still keeping her cards close to her vest on that one.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2009/10/gillibrand.php

The Right Time to Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell Is Now

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
U.S. Senator from New York
Posted: October 5, 2009 06:05 PM

Since 1994, almost 13,000 gay servicemen and women have been discharged from the military based not on their performance but on their sexual orientation. In 2009 alone, we've had more than 400 of our brave men and women leave the military under Don't Ask Don't Tell. This is simply unacceptable. It is time to repeal this outdated and immoral policy once and for all and end the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly and honestly in our armed forces.

To that end, I've secured the commitment from Senator Carl Levin, Chair of the Armed Services Committee, to hold the first hearing on the policy since it began 16 years ago. Chairman Levin expects to hold the hearing soon and it's my hope that it will be instrumental in demonstrating the level of support that exists for repeal not only throughout the country -- where polls consistently indicate that solid majorities oppose the policy -- but within the military itself.

I'm happy to see that, as the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing approaches, there are signs of momentum building toward repeal.

On September 24, Majority Leader Harry Reid sent letters to the president and Secretary Gates reiterating his support for repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and requesting their recommendations to Congress on the policy. I agree with Senator Reid. I know the president opposes DADT, and I am confident he and his administration will work to engage Congressional and military leaders in this debate.

Then, just last week, an article was published in the Joint Force Quarterly -- a publication considered to be the scholarly journal of the Pentagon and released by the Joint Chiefs -- that goes beyond addressing just Don't Ask Don't Tell, but overtly calls for a repeal of the ban on gays and lesbians serving in the U.S. military. In the article, Air Force Colonel Om Prakash writes:

After a careful examination, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that unit cohesion will be negatively affected if homosexuals serve openly. Based on this research, it is not time for the administration to reexamine the issue; rather it is time for the administration to examine how to implement the repeal of the ban.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-kirsten-gillibrand/the-right-time-to-repeal_b_310352.html

[TheWraith]

1. I was SO ready to give you an unrec based on that title.

Gillibrand rocks. I've met her a few times now, and she's every bit as impressive in person. It's hard to believe that there are still people who believe that shit about her being a conservative.

[IndianaGreen]

2. I made a donation to her campaign earlier today

I am so impressed by her!

[TheWraith]

6. Wish I could do the same, but finances are tight.

In lieu of that I'm volunteering and helping out in other ways. I got to watch her wandering around a county fair not too long ago--she even climbed into one of the cow stalls for a picture. I started out hoping Caroline Kennedy would get the spot, but in hindsight I'm confident Gillibrand is the best. She reminds me a little bit of Obama--unknown, charismatic, and ready to start taking names.

She's also done something nobody else has done, which is go around raising money for upstate Democratic groups.

[Libertas1776]

3. She has really proved to be one big

PLEASANT surprise for NY, so far, and her position on "don't ask don't tell" is proving to be a very good bellwether, I would hope, of her future as a US Senator.

[msongs]

4. so, has SHE introduced DADT repeal legislation yet? huh? huh? oh. nt

[IndianaGreen]

5. Carl Levin is going to hold DADT hearings

As many of you know, earlier this year I considered offering an amendment to impose a moratorium on DADT discharges for 18 months, but decided against it because I couldn't secure the 60 votes we would need for passage. That said, I believe that we are seeing momentum building nearly every day. Every day I feel we are getting closer to the votes we need to pass.

I look forward to continuing that momentum at the upcoming hearing. I'll also be launching a new DADT story project, which I'll introduce to you all in the coming weeks. My hope is that as people meet some of the brave servicemen and women that have been affected by this unfair and misguided policy, we can build support for repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and move toward allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly and honestly in our military.

In the meantime, you can help by joining the effort. In advance of the hearing, I've launched a petition calling for the repeal of DADT. We already have almost 10,000 signatures from people nationwide who are standing with me to show my colleagues that our country is ready to repeal this policy. I hope you'll join us.

I know that many were discouraged by the statement yesterday from National Security Advisor James Jones that President Obama would pursue repeal "at the right time." I believe the right time is now.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-kirsten-gillibrand/the-right-time-to-repeal_b_310352.html

Petition:

http://www.democratsenators.org/o/44/t/825/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=174

[TheWraith]

7. She and Kennedy were working on building support in the Senate...

To put together a plan for having the votes, along with working with Patrick Murphy in the House, who does have a bill for it. I don't know what's been happening since Senator Kennedy's death.

[sui generis]

8. Well, she has a track record now.

Pardon the rest of us for being cynical when the only thing we have to measure with is original party affiliation and the droves of DINO converts out there who would rather be associated with **gasp** liberals than with dumbass GWB or braindead McCain/Palin.

There is no free ride - we all have to earn it, and it looks like she is.

[TheWraith]

9. There was a lot more than cynicism when she was appointed.

Reserving judgement is one thing. The active rush by a lot of DUers to smear her using things which were simply bullshit is quite another. The real offenders around here, of course, are still conveniently MIA or clinging to their preconceived notions.