Follow-up: Kirsten Gillibrand named to Senate

On Wednesday, we looked into the chance that Rep. Nydia Velazquez could be named to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton. Velazquez was a dark horse candidate though her odds improved when Caroline Kennedy dropped her bid.

New York Governor David Paterson officially unveiled Clinton’s replacement earlier today: Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand.

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Despite being praised by some leading New York Democrats her centrism may clash with others in the party. Her status as a “Blue Dog” Democrat has also raised eyebrows among several interest groups representing areas like gun control and immigration. “Now that she will be representing a far broader and more diverse constituency, Senator-Designee Gillibrand must reconsider her positions on immigration” read part of a statement from the head of the New York Immigration Coalition.

Despite qualms over her views on immigration Gillibrand seems like a good choice; her mostly moderate views will likely coincide with Gov. Paterson and President Obama’s policy. If she plays her cards right she can serve in Congress beyond the 2010 and 2012 elections and spare the Empire State the possibility of a Senator Rudy Giuliani.

Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, CBS News, MSNBC, politico.com, New York Times, CNN

Daily Headlines: March 18, 2008

* A British court overturned an earlier decision brought up by ExxonMobil which froze $12 billion in assets held by Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.

* Aside from being New York’s first black governor, David Paterson has also become the state’s first governor of Caribbean background.

* Authorities claimed that “a tough zero-tolerance policy” at the U.S.-Mexico border near El Paso has lead to a 78% increase in arrests.

* Chiquita Brands may have to return to court after a lawsuit was filed against them by four widows of men "disappeared" by Colombian guerillas.

Sources- Associated Press, CaribbeanWorldNews.com, Christian Science Monitor, The Latin Americanist, Bloomberg, International Herald Tribune

Image- New York Times

Will the next New York governor help Latinos?

Earlier today New York governor Eliot Spitzer resigned from his post due to his involvement in an illegal prostitution ring. Spitzer’s replacement will be Lt. Gov. David Paterson, a visually impaired African-American who is experienced and well-respected by his peers.

What can the state’s Latino population expect from Paterson whose term is set to begin on Monday? According to LoHud.com’s blog on immigration, Paterson “has certainly spoken up for immigrants’ rights” during his time as lieutenant governor. Nevertheless, he will have to tread lightly on the issue of immigration; Spitzer’s plan for providing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants was dropped last year amidst controversy.

Meanwhile, an article in one of New York City’s main Spanish-language dailies- El Diario/La Prensa- said experts feel that Paterson will do more for the Latino community than Spitzer:

Under Paterson’s mandate, the number of Hispanics in high office could increase…according to experts.

“Well, at first nothing will change. If (Paterson) names new people then I have no doubt that he will take Latinos into account,” opined Rodolfo de la Garza, political science professor at Columbia University.

Though Hispanics currently represent 16% of the state’s population only 4% of them work for the state government. -[ed. personal translation]

Paterson will become the first African-American governor in New York history and the state’s first physically disabled one since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Sources (English)- Christian Science Monitor, AFP, Huffington Post, LoHud.com, Gothamist

Sources (Spanish)- El Diario/La Prensa

Image- TIME