World of Suck

If you have been watching the news over the past month of so, you'd think that the media was getting pick the Senator to replace Hillary Clinton.

The media became enthralled at the idea when national political royalty breathed in the general direction of New York Governor Paterson and showed a bit of interest. The media and Caroline Kennedy seemed to feed off each other's desire for her to sit in the Senate, beating the media coverage into a froth. The only other candidate that the national media found suitable to look down its nose as a second string possibility was New York state political royalty Andrew Cuomo.

Secretary Clinton was confirmed and Governor Paterson finally gave his choice – Kirsten Gillibrand. Who?? What was New York's Governor thinking???!!!! How dare he appoint someone that the media hadn't vetted and blessed! Now the media is tossing around lots of criticism and I would like to give the national media a bitch slap.

First – Gillibrand's name and prince Andrew's name were tossed into the ring before the princess's name was even thought about. Gillibrand was considered a strong contender by many, even if the assholes in the national media missed it. Hey, jackasses, if you want to figure out what a New York Governor might be thinking, maybe you should get your heads out of a New York City socialite's ass for a bit, take a train 2 ½ hours north to the state's capitol and hear what the local media and folks in the know are saying.

Second – Only the national media painted princess Caroline as a real contender. Paterson being mute on the subject, meeting with her a few times is not the same as him seriously considering her. If you are a political creature you sure as hell don't refuse an audience with royalty when it is requested. Furthermore, lets not forget who took her own name out of consideration for private issues.

Third – Paterson has been criticized for not making his decision process more “transparent”. Perhaps he was just too polite to say what was really on him mind. Maybe he was trying to keep himself uncontaminated from the media hype. Maybe he was just being prudent in case Secretary Clinton changed her mind or she was not confirmed (hmm, wasn't there a bit of a problem with that???). What ever Paterson's reasons, they were his and I respect his right to have them. Also, re-read the first point – If you bothered getting your asses on a train or in a car and trekked upstate rather than going to New York City cocktail parties and charity benefits perhaps things would have been less opaque.

Four – Gillibrand has been painted as a poor replacement for Clinton. Gillibrand has been, is and will be a New Yorker. She wants to do what is right for New York. She has spent time in Washington as a Congresswoman, so she does have some experience with national politics. Her focus is on representing New Yorkers – Isn't that a Senator's job rather than trotting about with obvious other lofty ambitions?

Critics are calling Gillibrand a DINO, or Democrat in Name Only. She is also being called the Democratic version of Palin. Here's what I have to say to the national media – shut the fuck up and let her do her job. So what if she supports the 2nd Amendment - it is part of the constitution we supposedly hold dear. She isn't some Washington press club representative, she is a New York representative. She was elected by New York residents, she is just moving from one house to another in Washington. If New Yorkers don't like the job she does, she will be voted out. Until then two-bit media hucksters, mind our own business the New York Senate seat was never yours to give.