Shall Not Be Questioned

It’s pretty clear that the media is not going to let Gillibrand’s support of gun rights go away right now.  Given that, it’s important that gun owners step up and support her.

One poll already shows that 26% of New Yorkers would be less likely to vote for her because of her pro-gun positions, whereas only 16% would be more likely to vote for her.  Fortunately, 41% said they didn’t care.  We need to show her that it matters.  Those 16% need to show up and/or open their wallets.  There’s no way that 26% will show up for the competition on any other day than Election Day.  So let’s show Gillibrand that there is no loss to being pro-gun.  That with an active 16%, we can easily top their 26%.

• First step: Whether you live in New York or not, sign up for her email list.  One, this gives her a strong metric to use against opponents.  In the age of the internet, especially after Obama, Paul, and Dean, how many people are on you mailing list now matters.
• Second step: Regardless of where you live, give if you can.  She’s already got the Senate campaign started, so we can start giving.  Show her the money so that Dems are turned off to a primary challenge and Republicans feel she’s a tough opponent.
• Third step: If you live in or near New York, volunteer.  There won’t be much to do at this point, but things will start to pick up later this year.  Go ahead and get on the list now to be another metric they can use to scare off the competition.

There are other things you can do like become a supporter of her Facebook page.  It’s not as strong as getting on her email list, but it’s public, and they can get an idea of what their supporters are interested in.

One of the biggest risks I see for gun owners could easily be caused by our own inaction.  Right now, the media is leaning on her, expecting her to change her positions.  Other Dems are saying that now that she reprents the entire state, she needs to turn against guns.  Because of this, I suspect many gun owners are going to convince themselves to take a “let’s wait and see” approach to getting involved.  If we do that, we shoot ourselves in the foot.  Get on board, show her we care and that we’ll support her, and she will be far less likely to give a damn about those anti-gun voters.  If we can help her reach out to independents and finance her ability to reach out to Dems on other issues, then we will keep a pro-gun vote in the Senate.

She is going to need a lot of money.  She’s only got about $250,000 cash on hand.  She’s considered to be a great fundraiser, but a Senate race in New York is not cheap.  She will need millions heading into next year.

This time from Maureen Dowd:

So now we have an N.R.A. handmaiden in Bobby Kennedy’s old seat? Kirsten Gillibrand, a k a Tracy Flick, accepting the honor with her Republican pal Al D’Amato beside her on stage? Gross.

This is what passes for opinion these days?  Talk about catty.

Then the Democrats would have had another Kennedy in the Senate representing New York — Bobby’s niece and a smart, policy-oriented, civic-minded woman to whom the president feels deeply indebted in an era when every state has its hand out.

I just don’t know if, like, you know, Caroline Kennedy was, like, the right person, you know, to represent New York in the Senate.

Instead they have Gillibrand, who voted against the Wall Street — as in New York — bailout bill. And who introduced a bill to balance the federal budget annually, which suggests she would oppose the $825 billion in deficit spending that President Obama proposes to rescue the country, not least New York.

Like I said, I’m liking these blue dog Democrats a lot better than Republicans these days.  She’s against having my tax money go to bail out rich bankers in New York City?  I should remember to send her a Christmas card next year.

It’s funny, but a lot of blue dogs these days seem to be more principled that Republicans.  Let’s hope this isn’t the only area where Altmire will stand with us.  No doubt he’s on Pelosi’s shit list, but Altmire is OK with me.