The one area where Gillibrand needs to change

[Still Sensible]

is the immigration battle. Sure, I'm not thrilled that she is so pro-NRA. I actually like that she would love to have a balenced budget--but she better save that one til after the economy recovers. No, the one area where she has been dead wrong is the immigration issue.

From Alternet:

"Gillibrand—endorsed by the National Riffle Association and the recipient of a high grade from an anti-immigrant group called NumbersUSA—is not an encouraging pick for the immigrant community.

According to her website, Gillibrand opposes a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and co-sponsored the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act in 2007. The SAVE Act aimed at reducing the inflow of undocumented immigrants by increasing border security and internal enforcement and complete the fence along the border."

I don't have any problem with people who want to secure our borders, although I don't believe the border fence is the answer for a whole host of reasons. But she is on the wrong side of the issue to deny all illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.

[Muttocracy]

yes - at least that's one of the positions that needs work. nt

[dkf]

1. How is she a Democrat?

Everything I am reading puts her on the other side.

[Muttocracy]

2. her house site is gone and senate site not up yet, but here are some links

http://kirstengillibrand.com/release.asp?id=1 (her House campaign site already switched to say Senate)

http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Kirsten_Gillibrand.htm

2 informative articles in this thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8135332

to me the thing I like best is she wants lots of oversight of finance.

[Shiver]

3. Kirsten Gillibrand On The Issues

http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Kirsten_Gillibrand.htm

Make of it what you will.

[TheWraith]

4. Then you must only be reading the nonsense and propaganda.

A lot of people are lying their asses off about Gillibrand. The facts:

Pro-gay-marriage.
Pro-Medicare-for-all.
90% lifetime rating from the ACLU (Compare to 73% for Clinton and 87% for Obama).
Voted to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq within 90 days.
Voted to close offshore corporate tax loopholes.
Voted to restore habeas corpus to detainees.
Voted to require warrants for all FISA wiretapping.
Voted to expand SCHIP.
Supported lobbying reform.

She also won reelection by 24 points against a Republican former NY SecState who dumped $6 million on the race, mostly out of his personal fortune. And did it in a 60% Republican district.

http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Kirsten_Gillibrand.htm

[Still Sensible]

6. Great list

No, she's not going to win any progressive purity contest, but she looks overall pretty solid to me. That immigration position is the most troublesome I think.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

9. I think she would do well if people look at her entire record

Her support for private gun ownership is very progressive. Bloomie who is a rabid anti gunner is very non progressive

[TheWraith]

10. Farming.

She represents a rural and heavily farm-based district. When farmers employ illegal immigrants instead of local labor, it can be very harmful to an area's economy. So it's natural she'd support a tougher stance on immigration. Which is no guarantee she'll shift now--upstate has a LOT of farms.

[Still Sensible]

5. Actually she gets

quite high ratings from gay rights advocates, Emilys list, NARAL (100), ACLU (100), NAACP (96), NEA (gave her an 'A'), AFL-CIO (96), and NOW (100).

Yes, she has been representing a conservative district and there are some blue dog type votes there. But everything I'm seeing says that the only conservative gripes people seem to be able to find are related to her NRA membership, her desire to balance the budget, and her immigration position.

[eilen]

7. I say give her a chance

having a family member who is seriously struggling to keep working d/t competitors running crews of illegals, I am sympathetic.

I think we should be more worried about obstructionist Republican senators rather than nascent Democratic senators. Let's see how she does. Two things I like about her are: she is a NY native and has proven herself in the electoral process. She supported her senator during the primary as well which does not speak ill for her even though it was not the senator I was pulling for.

I wonder how many who are upset about C. Kennedy not being appointed-- are over 45?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. Not having Kennedy is a good thing for the state and the party

this noble families crap has not place in our society

[jmg257]

8. Thrilled about her being my Senator. A really good choice! nt