Kirsten Keeps Gilli-Branding Herself as All-Inclusive

When Kirsten Gillibrand gets sworn into the US Senate tomorrow, she will not only be the newest member of the legislative body, she will also be the youngest senator at 42. While she hasn't seemed particularly nervous or uneasy with what many see as a surprising selection from Governor Paterson, she admitted today (on Today) that like most, she "assumed (Caroline Kennedy) would be the senator."

Gillibrand held a press conference after yesterday's meeting with her core "transition team" of Paterson, Senator Chuck Schumer and outgoing Senator Clinton. She sounded eager to continue her introductory tour of the Big Apple saying, "You will see me everywhere in this state. You will see me wherever you want to see me." That process might become even easier since she says that one of her first priorities is getting a high-speed rail line from I-87 over to Buffalo.

When her controversial record as a gun advocate who comes from a hunting family came up, she told reporters, "There is such a different debate about how do you keep our streets free from gun violence, and how do you keep our kids safe, and how do you keep guns out of the hands of criminals."


Gillibrand sounds like she is trying to douse any flames that exist with Long Island Congresswoman and devoted advocate for gun control Carolyn McCarthy. She went out of her way to mention, "I hope to work with Congresswoman McCarthy—specifically on her legislation to improve background checks." When asked about McCarthy's announcement that she was so bothered by Paterson's choice of Gillibrand that she plans to run against her in 2010, Gillibrand said, "It's their right. It's part of our democracy."

Below is Gillibrand's interview with Today's Lester Holt where she describes herself as "more fiscally conservative" and lights up when asked about her congratulations phone call from the new president.