… to toot our own horns, but allow us to hearken back to our post in December, lamenting Caroline Kennedy’s bid for Hillary Clinton’s senate seat.
Certainly, if [Governor David Paterson] were to select [Representative Kirsten] Gillibrand for the post, he would send the message that substance is more important than image and that he understands there is a New York outside of the city, that can work in tandem with the city, with labor and natural resources critical for economic recovery and energy development.
Caroline Kennedy could withdraw her name from consideration with great aplomb and emerge with her thoughtful and gracious image intact and protected from the mudslinging of an aggressive campaign. She would be doing herself, the state, and the Democratic Party a huge service.
Well, guess what?
Kennedy withdrew her name from consideration with (somewhat less than) great aplomb, and Paterson selected Gillibrand to replace Clinton in the Senate.
Cults of personality permeate politics throughout this country … in every state government at some level and, certainly, in our federal government’s history. In fact, Obama has quite a challenge to manage the media in a way that focuses on the job of government rather than his celebrity. (He has already been quite adept at the task, considering the reportage of the work done on his first day in office.)
Similarly, Paterson came to office after Eliot Spitzer’s spectacular spontaneous combustion, and while Spitzer was definitely one of those personality cults, Paterson, on the other hand, has long been involved in making government work for the people of New York, no simple task, considering all of the other competing cults. (Joe Bruno, anyone? UPDATE: Bruno was JUST indicted on corruption charges.) Once again, Paterson substantiated the supremacy of New Yorkers’ well being on his list of priorities by selecting Gillibrand.
How strange the choice of Gillibrand, which offers the best advantages for New York State (thoughtful, moderate governance with transparency) is considered the bold move, when in actuality, it should be considered the natural move.
In any case: Bravo, Governor Paterson!
(Now if our prescience can hold out for the March Tourney …)
Interesting that Obama was replaced with black man and Clinton replaced with a white woman. Identity politics anyone?
Posted by Mike at The Big Stick | January 23, 2009, 3:25 pmI think playing identity politics in the Senate is no real sin. The Senate is a historically old white dudes only body: keeping diverse viewpoints in is of vital importance. Similarly, I desperately hope that Ginsburg (if she retires under Obama) is replaced by a woman; and I wish O’Connor had been replaced with a woman. Of course, it might be hard for Republicans to find anti-choice women jurists…
Posted by Ames | January 23, 2009, 3:33 pmmike, it must be because liberals, when they aren’t being fascists, are simply unable to do anything but pick their own kind … but wait, isn’t that kinda fascist, too?
OMG!
Posted by didionsmommy | January 23, 2009, 3:36 pmDM – No, it’s just an implication that only a black man or a woman can bring certain issues to a the table. I thought you hippies had evolved beyond that stuff?
Posted by Mike at The Big Stick | January 23, 2009, 3:49 pmaccording to you, we’re devolving into everything else … better consult some pop poli-sci analysis …
***
and be careful about critiquing gillibrand … she’s got some positions i think you would find quite appealing.
Posted by didionsmommy | January 23, 2009, 4:56 pmI’m not critiquing her…i’m critiquing the compulsion to replace a woman with a woman, black with a black, etc.
Posted by Mike at The Big Stick | January 23, 2009, 5:45 pm