I've watched with dismay as it appears that the Democratic establishment in New York and elsewhere have been closing ranks, in a Specter-esque "this is your new Dem senator, we have decided for you" display, and actively attempted to prevent alternative candidates, including Congressional Progressive Caucus stalwart Carolyn Maloney (a caucus responsible for the heavyweight, strong public option legislation offered in the House, btw), from participating in a primary to allow voters to decide which Dem candidate to nominate for the senate seat previously held by Hillary Clinton.
Irrespective of the various opinions about which Dem candidate is best to compete for this seat, I found it pretty unacceptable that top Dem politicians and powerbrokers would deprive NY Dems at the rank and file level of the opportunity to choose our nominee for ourselves.
I have to thank Harlem Rep. Charlie Rangel for providing a breath of fresh air, and an opportunity for Dem voters to participate in crucial decisions regarding our senatorial representation.
Rangel stated that he has yet to decide which candidate he favors for the primary but, articulated his belief that alternative candidate Maloney has every right to primary the governor's unelected appointee:
"I really cannot say anything negative about [Maloney,] a senior member who wants to run and whose polls, at this point in time, appear to be in her favor," Rangel, dean of the New York House delegation, told the Daily News.
Rangel stood up for Maloney while the state's senior senator, Chuck Schumer, and the Democratic establishment are rallying around Gillibrand.
"Nobody can challenge that she's not a hardworking member of Congress," Rangel said of Maloney, citing [Maloney's] work on behalf of 9/11 victims and her landmark legislation protecting credit card holders.
Precisely. Regardless of the merits of Paterson's appointee, alternative candidates have the right to compete and put the matter to voters.
I thank Rangel for choosing to stand against a very powerful political establishment by articulating a pro-democracy argument.