Sen. Gillibrand seeks NYC vote
Gillibrand: “Firmly Committed” To Repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Facing a possible ’10 primary challenge, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) writes for Daily Kos of her firm support for a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Why is this notable?
She could face Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) in the primary, and Maloney, of course, hails represents the 14th CD, which includes the East Side of Manhattan, Astoria, Queens, Roosevelt Island and much of Long Island City, Sunnyside and parts of Woodside. And polls show Gillibrand would struggle in NYC and its surrounding suburbs against a GOP challenger. A May Marist survey of her in a general election battle with Republican George Pataki, for example, shows Gillibrand narrowly winning NYC, 45%-42%, and getting clobbered in the surrounding suburbs, 51%-29%.
So wooing more liberal NYC voters — and interest groups — is key to Gillibrand’s longterm survival.
Gillibrand for Daily Kos:
Last week, I had the honor of meeting a proud graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY – Lt. Dan Choi. Lt. Choi came to my office to meet me and discuss how we right the wrong that has occurred in his life and ensure others do not experience the same injustice.In 2003, Lt. Dan Choi graduated from West Point with a degree in Arabic. Since graduating, Lt. Choi has served honorably in the 1st Bn., 69th Infantry of the New York Army National Guard, including a deployment in Iraq. Now, it appears his service may come to an end simply because he has publicly said these three words: “I am gay.”
I am firmly committed to repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Not only am I working closely with Congressman Murphy and Senator Kennedy’s offices to develop support for repeal legislation, but I will be among the original co-sponsors of the bill when it’s introduced. In the weeks and months ahead, I plan to work with Lt. Choi to repair the damage that has been done to his career and spare thousands of innocent, brave men and women, from the same injustice.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
