Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand Appointed to Replace Hillary Clinton in US Senate – Opposition Forms

New York Governor David Paterson appointed two term Democrat Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to repalce Hillary Clinton.

Gov. Paterson, defying the liberal wing of his Democratic Party, has chosen little-known, NRA-backed, upstate Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton as New York’s junior senator, it was learned last night.

The surprising – and, for many Democrats shocking – decision to pick the conservative Gillibrand, 42, from Hudson in Columbia County, was disclosed by the governor in calls to party officials and some members of the state’s congressional delegation, many of whom said they were unhappy with the selection, sources said.

The GOP must be happy with this Blue Dog Democrat being appointed. Opposition from the LEFT is already forming.

Anti-gun groups have denounced the pick and suggested they will be closely eyeing Gillibrand’s transition from a congresswoman in a gun-toting upstate district to a senator representing one of the most anti-gun cities in America, where she will need support to win the Democratic nomination in 2010.

Signs of severe unrest with the pick are already apparent, particularly in a blogging community that was happy to have her hold down a conservative House district, but thinks it can do better for a senator in a blue state.

Rep. Gillibrand is little known and will be no match for former New York Governor George Pataki, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani or current New York Mayor Bloomberg. She undoubtedly will have to move to the LEFT or face a NUTROOTS backed primary challenge.

Plus, her conservative leaning Congressional district in upstate New York which she is vacating will be ripe for a GOP pick-up.

All things considered, a perfect appointment for the Republican Party.