A succinct, passionate, and effective Sen. Gillibrand

Back in August 2009, when Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed to replace Hillary Clinton as senator from New York,  it was again necessary to remind left wing Democrats that just because a female party member held different views, it was not open season for their sexist and misogynist attacks. I explained:

Every so often African-Americans and members of other minority groups remind one another that they are not all required to be on the same page all the time; there’s room for diversity. Just so, women are beginning to realize that although they may not agree on every political issue, they can stand united in their opposition to sexism and misogyny as well as all other forms of bigotry. Representing 51 percent of the nation’s population, women could thus assure a major upsurge in political power.

Vindication of my support for Gillibrand may be found in the NY Times article this morning headlined: Gillibrand Gains Foothold With 9/11 Aid Victory.

Describing Gillibrand's effective leadership in the Senate on the passage of the 9/11 bill and the repeal of Don't  Ask Don't Tell, the Times article by David Halbfinger gives credit where its due:

Once derided as an accidental senator, lampooned for her verbosity and threatened with many challengers who openly doubted her abilities, a succinct, passionate and effective Senator Gillibrand has made her presence felt in the final days of this Congress.

Her efforts have won grudging admiration from critics, adulation from national liberals and gay rights groups, and accolades from New York politicians across the political spectrum, including Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who once shopped for potential candidates to oust her.

Even her relentlessness, which once drew mockery, is now earning the highest compliment of all: professional jealousy from her more senior colleagues.

“To have gone from a virtual unknown to being a major player on some landmark legislation in such a short period of time just shows what Kirsten is capable of,” said Ilyse Hogue, director of political advocacy for MoveOn.org.

Yep, it's time for left wing Democrats and right wing Republicans to grow up and let the adults in Congress get on with the nation's work.