Gillibrand represents the New York 20th, a heavily red district along New York's eastern border, one that includes my former residence of Saratoga Springs. By winning there, and securing a larger majority this past November, she shows she's got some traction, and fulfills Paterson's desire for someone with a good shot at winning the "by-election" next year, and a full term two years after that. She'll need that, because Carolyn McCarthy is NOT pleased, and is considering a primary challenge in 2010. If the Republicans don't mount a serious challenger (and these days in New York, they rarely do), I'd consider giving Gillibrand my vote.
Props to Governor Paterson for making this appointment. I've been pleased and impressed with his service over the last ten months. I'm not a fan of the various tax increases he's proposed, but I at least appreciate that he's treating the multi-billion-dollar budget gap as the serious problem that it is. He is a most welcome change from his predecessor.