Earlier this week, the Maloney camp released an internal poll showing her beating Sen. Gillibrand in an head-to-head Democratic primary – and leading to lots of speculation that she's in. As I wrote yesterday, this is welcome news. Gillibrand isn't the kind of progressive New York deserves. In Nebraska, maybe. Not New York. She's weak on gun control, flip-flops on immigration, and has a shady history with Big Tobacco.
I took a closer look at the poll today. Maloney's pollster, Douglas Schoen, put up a memo on the poll, which lays out a good case: if the establishment can't force her out, she's the candidate New York Democrats want:
The contrast is clear between Carolyn Maloney, who is an effective legislator who has created new jobs, stood up for women's issues, authored credit card reform legislation, and improved the education system, and Kirsten Gillibrand. Gillibrand is too conservative, pro-gun, anti-immigration, and pro-tobacco, as she has worked on the side of tobacco companies and lied about it. She has a weak record compared to Maloney, who has one of the best records of any member of Congress representing the state of New York.
The base-line poll is at 34% Maloney to 32% Gillibrand. After explaining Maloney's record and achievements in Congress, her lead jumps to 43% to 28%. And after explaining Gillibrand's negatives (including the fact that she has the most anti-gay voting record of any Democratic legislator in New York State), the race goes to 49% Maloney, 25% Gillibrand.
Flip-flopping conservative Democrat vs. a proven, fierce Progressive. Who do you want? I sure hope New Yorkers have the choice.