Democratic candidate for the House, Kirsten Gillibrand, has just called on Republican John Sweeney to debate the war head to head in the 20th Congressional District in New York. In the early stages of the campaign Sweeney branded Gillibrand "just another pretty face," a New York City carpetbagger, and smeared her choice of parents. Gillibrand responded by developing detailed policy positions on everything from health care, to renewable energy to a phased withdrawal from Iraq. In other words, Gillibrand appealed to reason while Sweeney appealed to hatred of women, hatred of New York City and just plain hatred.
Mr. Sweeney is now in a political quandry. He can choose to ignore Gillibrand's challenge and take the risk of admitting that he can't defend his recent House vote "to stay the course." Or he can pick up the guantlet and try to defend the President's recent declaration that he looks forward to a permanent occupation with "about 50,000 troops," something similar to the American presence in Korea. Gillibrand has already come out against permanent bases, a canny move that laid the groundwork for her strong, first attack.
Sweeney clearly didn't expect to be facing a well-financed, professional and tenacious opponent. And he certainly must be back on his heels after Gillibrand's challenge, which was immediately reported on the Albany Times Union blog. Most of all, he didn't expect to face a woman who has the courage to stand up to his smears and land then first blow.
Gillibrand is turning our to be exactly the kind of candidate Democrats around the country have been begging for. She has taken thoughtful positions on the issues; she is a tireless campaigner who constantly criss-crosses this vast rural district; and now she has shown she is spoining for a fight on the single issue Republicans themselves have chosen as the centerpiece of their campaign: this brutal, and brutally expensive war.
Sweeney is a very vulnerable candidate. His missteps--he was recently photographed sloppy drunk at a fraternity party---are legendary. His corrpution---his wife takes a direct 10% rakeoff from campaign contributions inside the district and he goes on lobbyist-financed ski trips with Big Pharma---is widely known. And he is joined to George Bush at the hip. He voted with Bush 92% of the time---until a few, recent gestures of "independence." And now he has voted for a permanent occupation of Iraq.
We have a realistic chance to pull an off upset here in upstate New York where life-long Republicans are far less ideological than their brethren in the South and Far West. 25% of the electorate registers as Independents, and key newspapers like the Albany Times Union have not been among Sweeney's greatest admirers. Kos readers ought to keep a close eye on the next round of Gillibrand vs. Sweeney. It looks like a knock-down, drag out fight on the right issue at the right time.
