A good sign for progressives: Blumenthal names former Planned Parenthood exec his chief of staff

[CTyankee]

Laurie Rubiner, a former executive with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, will serve as U.S. Sen.-elect Richard Blumenthal’s chief of staff, his office announced Wednesday.

“Laurie brings to my office and to the people of Connecticut a passion for public service, invaluable experience in the Senate, unparalleled policy expertise and, mostly importantly, she shares my commitment to make Washington work for the people of Connecticut,” Blumenthal said in a press release.

Rubiner, 48, previously has worked on the staffs of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and the late Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I. She is former vice president for public policy and advocacy for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, leading the agency’s Washington office.

MORE at link here: http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/12/08/news/doc4cfffcc3d1eff707990146.txt

Dick has been a stalwart defender of reproductive rights as CT state Attorney General. I am so glad Ms. Rubiner will be his right hand person when he goes to Washington next month.