Gillibrand Event

Kirsten's speech was fantastic yesterday. She talked about her priorities: health care, ways that renewable energy can create jobs in our district, and about her exit strategy for Iraq. The Times Union covered Gillibrand's event.

And the Post Star did too. From Maury Thompson's report:

ALBANY -- The second-highest ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives flew into Albany on Sunday to give a boost to Kirsten Gillibrand's congressional campaign.

"I'm going to give Kirsten Gillibrand at least $14,000 of my (campaign) funds," said U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

Gillibrand sounded energized as she spoke just moments after the announcement.

"I do think our country is at a crossroads. It is a very precarious time," she said.

Hoyer said the race against incumbent U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, R-Clifton Park, is important because a victory would help the Democratic Party move into power.

Democrats need 15 seats to gain control of the House.

"In the 20th district of New York, you can make one-fifteenth of the difference," Hoyer said at a reception in Albany, which is outside the 20th district.

Hoyer, the House's minority whip, is positioned to be majority leader if Democrats take control of the house, said U.S. Rep. Michael McNulty, D-Green Island, who introduced Gillibrand.

McNulty said he has been a longtime friend of Gillibrand's family.

"She is politically smart. She has a tremendous work ethic," McNulty said of Gillibrand, a lawyer from Hudson.

Registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats about 2 to 1 in the district, but there are nearly as many independents as Democrats.

Hoyer said recent polling indicated 70 percent of independents in the nation are not satisfied with the direction of national policy.

Washington County Democratic Chairwoman Sheila Comar said she almost jumped out of her seat when Hoyer announced the $14,000 commitment at the end of his speech.

"I can't believe it," she said.

The contribution will help the Democrats keep pace with Sweeney, who held a fundraiser with U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in Saratoga Springs on Saturday, Comar said.

Republicans have said Gillibrand's national agenda overshadows local issues.

But Lisa Manzi, a Democrat from Greenwich, said national issues affect everyone.

"Everything Kirsten is talking about is also local, because it's going to affect us all," she said.

Nearly 200 people attended the reception at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany. The reception had a suggested admission of $100.

Hoyer was a last-minute replacement for U.S. Rep Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., who was originally scheduled to speak. Emanuel is chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

...Hoyer said Emanuel, who sent along a check for $2,500, wanted a high-profile speaker to demonstrate the race's national importance.

"He said, 'We want to indicate this is one of the most important races in the whole United States,' " Hoyer said.