Higgins to the Senate
Let’s assume for a moment that Barack Obama selects Hillary Clinton to join his administration in some role – either as AG, or perhaps as Secretary of State.
The speculation is already rampant throughout the state on whom Governor Paterson would appoint to replace Clinton in the Senate, and that person would have to run again in 2010.
Among those being considered is Representative Brian Higgins (NY-27). Why Higgins?
He’s young, he’s a Catholic upstater, he is relatively centrist – routinely making both sides of the aisle bristle, he’s got a real record of getting things done and treating government not as an entitlement, but as a calling – a mission. He has arguably done more to advance the cause of Buffalo and WNY than any other local political figure in recent memory. He doesn’t take “no” for an answer, and truly is an advocate for the regular, hard-working people throughout his constituency.
Add to that the trepidation some have with a Democratic takeover of the state senate – that upstate will lose a great deal of clout in Albany now that, presumably, a State Senator from Queens will replace his royal highness Joe of Brunswick (Joe the Senator? Joe the Bruno?) as majority leader.
But even more than that, given the political considerations that go into these sorts of decisions, consider the role Higgins played in attaining that very senate majority that has the Buffalo News editorial board pooping bricks. Unencumbered by a serious challenger in his own race, Higgins was out there throughout this past cycle raising money for Bill Stachowski and Joe Mesi, even going so far as to essentially turn over his entire, well-seasoned campaign apparatus over to the Stachowski campaign when the Delano shocker poll came down the pike.
Today, Erie County Democratic Committee Chairman Len Lenihan issued this statement:
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has been an extraordinary representative for New York State. Current speculation is that she is being considered as a nominee for Secretary of State. Serving in that capacity, Senator Clinton would be an extraordinary representative of the United States abroad, and would help restore America’s standing abroad, and at home as well.
In the event that Senator Clinton should become Secretary of State, a number of very qualified candidates would be proposed to replace her as a member of the United States Senate. As Chairman of the Erie County Democratic party — upstate’s largest Democratic county organization — I am firmly of the opinion that any list of proposed candidates must include candidates from Upstate New York. Chief among those most qualified — and certainly someone I believe should receive strong consideration in such a scenario — would be Buffalo-area Congressman Brian Higgins.
UPDATE: The more I consider it, the more certain I am that, under this scenario, Higgins is really the most viable and serious upstate-based candidate for any potential Senate vacancy.
Maybe consider it while you walk along the waterfront parks that he pushed forward, enjoying a stroll along the Canal Side area that will be funded in large part by the NYPA reauthorization he spearheaded. He had a hand in pushing the Thruway tolls off the 190, is co-chair of the House’s Older Cities Task Force, and has generated a lot of money for WNY transportation needs through his work on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
The guy goes to Washington and works for his constituents. And during the campaign, he worked hard for some Democrats who were engaged in tough battles. It’s a great fit.
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Just what are Hillary Clinton’s foreign policy credentials?
1.she pushed out a puppy for the Governor of Arkansas.
2.occasional sex partner for former President, when there wasn’t someone younger willing to perform acts she might have found perverted
3.traveled to foreign countries, smiling and waving for cameras
4.lawyer of questionable ethics.
Yep, she’s are real foreign policy expert…looked at as a cuckolded joke by most of the world—with all the guts of Margaret Thatcher–NOT
Ignoring hank’s moronic remarks I am offended by your “he’s a Catholic upstater” remark. Would you say about someone “he’s a new york city Jew”? Or he’s a boston Huguenot? Just wondering
Brian Higgins as US Senator????? Kidding right????? This has all the markings of Governor Paterson taking this US Senate do nothing job in a New York Minute. Additionally… what has Congressman Higgins done again? What jobs has he brought to the area again and what taxes has he decreased in congress to help us folks in Western New York? ANSWER….NONE!
A probably very real obstacle to Clinton being nominated for Sec/State:
“As the husband to the future Secretary of State, former President Clinton would be forced to disclose details about his private business dealings with other countries, and Obama’s vetters would probably ask to see donor records for the Clinton Library Foundation.”
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/11/the_clinton_sos_speculation_re.php
He might have disclosed that information in exchange for Hillary being POTUS, but unlikely for anything lower on the ladder — unless she’s able to graze his melon with a lamp or ashtray or two, and persuade him.
Hank who would you want international criminal Kissinger?
If the next Senator from New York is coming from WNY, I think the politics line up better for Byron Brown than Brian Higgins. Byron was a close Paterson confidante in Albany and is said by many to remain Paterson’s go-to-guy in this region.
Byron Brown is unlikely because half the Democrats locally hate the guy. His political operation has had their a$$es handed to them the past two years in only races they’ve tried outside of their East Side base. And let’s face it, David Patterson isn’t going to have a problem with the black vote – so why does he need to go out on a limb and appoint someone divisive to get their approval.
I have had 3 chances to speak with Congressman Higgins over the past year, and i think if he has the opptunity to be are senator from ny in dc it would be a good thing
Hmmmm Higgins Higgins Higg… Here it is Higgins…. must get this file with information on Brian’s elementary school conduct grades over to my flying monkey of a whack job Illuzzi so that he can do that voodoo that he doo so well!!!!
If ever there were a candidate in need of a shopping spree, it would be Congressman Higgins (since Ms. Palin is now respectfully put together).
Will there be one of those tell all questionaires for the job? If so, will aversion to professional dress when called for be a deal breaker????
Pundit, why not Louise – seriously–? Of course, I’d be ambivalent about losing our great congressional rep., who seems to know everyone in My Fair City by name – and the battle to fill her seat would likely pit Rochester against Buffalo. But I think she’d make a heckuva senator.
buffmom he just needs a haircut, he has a pin striped suit for every day of the week!!
RaChaCha – ABSOLUTELY agree that Louise is a SPLENDID choice. I do not like to say but her age might be a factor. She has the energy and spirit of a 40 year old. However, we’ve been talking about her impending retirement for years now. I can appreciate them wanting to get someone in who can hang for multiple terms.
mike – a haircut more than once a term? YES.
Louise is almost 80 and she is the chair of the House Rules Committee, one of the most powerful seats of power in DC.
Pundit, why not Louise – seriously–?
I’m not Pundit, but oh well…
1.) She’s 80
2.) She would be giving up one of the top 3 most powerful positions in the house to be the junior senator from NY with no access to key committee memberships or leadership based on seniority rules.
3.) She would be good to finish out the term but giving the slot to a younger candidate makes it more likely that the DNC can hold onto it for years to come.
4.) Her congressional seat might well go away after the next census when NY loses 2-3 congressional seats. It’s better for her to retire the seat.
Whoever gets this appointment will have to run in a special election in 2010 and then again when the seat would normally be up in 2012. That’s going to be incredibly costly so I’m sure that’s going to be a factor in making the choice. I’m not sure Higgins can raise that kind of money. I’m also not sure if Higgins can hold his own against Andrew Cuomo and Robert Kennedy, Jr. Those are two other names being thrown around and they carry some nostalgia, name recognition and strong connections.
That said, I think having Higgins (or anyone from WNY) as our Senator would be very beneficial for our area.
Has anyone that advocates for Louise Slaughter ever actually met her? Or are just judging her on her party affiliation and ease that she wins reelection? She is so out of it she requires an aid to take her around the Capital Building because she gets lost. I don’t have a problem with old (I like McCain sans Palin), but I do have a problem with being a female Robert Byrd.
I think we’re missing the larger issue, though, that Hank raises, if an extremely poor way. Why is Hillary qualified for Secretary of State? Isn’t healthcare her issue? Or he local economy? her time on the Senate Armed Services Committee has mostly marked by her inability to explain her vote on Iraq.
I think Higgins would make a great Senator, and Hillary a lousy Secretary of State. Even Kerry would be better.
I think the real question for NYer’s is: is better to have 1) a terrible Secretary of State, and finally be rid of a poor carpetbagging Senator, or 2) a respectable State Dept, but another four years of Hillary’s ineptitude.
I can’t say I know enough about Brian Higgins to say whether he’d be good Senator one way or another.
Face it–SOMEONE’s going to get appointed if Hillary moves into a Cabinet position, which is still up in the air.
If it makes you feel better, If the choice for SecState was between Hillary and John Fucking Kerry, I’d pick Hillary in a minute.
Higgins is another career politician, or at least looking to spend the rest of his life as one. This is exactly what CHANGE is NOT.
However, I’ve read enough about both Higgins and our illustrious “It’s time Buffalo had a Black Mayor”, to know if it came down to that choice, Higgins would have my vote too.
Geek, good analysis. You may not be da Pundit, but you da man!
Prodigal, I do know her personally, and have worked with her on a few things over the years (a relative of mine worked on her first house campaign) and I simply can’t buy that she needs someone to help her find her way around the hill.
RaChaCha – your personal experience beats mine. I have friends that work on Capital Hill, some as consultants, some on the staffs of local representatives (not hers). The words they use are “embarrassment” and “totally out of it.”
What about Bill Clinton for Senate?
I previously suggest Bill CLinton for Sec. of State but he can’t be anything but President so fahgeydaboudit.
I think Hillary as Sec of State is insane. She is so capable and smart. I think she is best appreciated elsewhere.
And whowever said it, Louise’s seat is G-O-N-E after the next census. Say what you will – I think she is great – best to retire the seat. Point well taken. But credit should be given to her by the party establishment. She outshines Brian Higgins. She should be acknowledged and recognized as someone who has worked hard for us for a long time.
Higgins voted for the Military Commissions legislation, which sanctioned torture and diminished habeas corpus. He shouldn’t even be in the House of Representatives, let alone be moved up to the Senate. For progressive-minded people, Higgins is a loser.
Higgins for Senate???? Holy fuck lol. Why the hell should one of the least effective congressman in the U.S. be promoted? Seriously people, get real. What a travesty this would be if true. I’m sick of the Higgins ball washing around here. What has the guy done besides talk about the waterfront for 4 years?
Put Byron there… it would facilitate the removal of all the pigeon droppings out of city hall and there is no way Pigeon would actually win an election that was contested so Byron would be out of elective office!
Oh and by the way… Louise’s seat will stay it is the Reynolds/Lee seat that is gone. There will not be a Republican Member of Congress in New York State after reapportionment and for the next 20-30 years.
Higgins is a lousy choice. His list of accomplishmets is rather short, and his main issue (the waterfront) has been a problem for 40 years- it’s not like he hit on anything new. And, his voting record indicates someone who’s anything BUT centrist- how you get to the left of Nancy Pelosi is beyond me.
Just when you think things couldn’t get any worse…
Let’s not delude ourselves. Does anyone really think the boys from downstate would ever allow an upstater to occupy this Senate seat ?
Come on!
I DONT CARE ID ITS HIGGANS OR BROWN! ITS INSANE THAT TE SECOND LARGESTR AREA IN THE STATE HASNT HAD ANY REPRESENTATION IN THE SENATE IN A GENERATION. UNFORTUNATLY EVEN IF PATTERSON APPOINTS A SENATOR FROM BUFFALO HE WILL BE OUT ON HIS ASS AFTER THE STATEWIDE ELECTION. THE NUMBERS IN NYC ARE TOO LARGE! AT LEAST WE WILL HAVE ONE FOR 2 YEARS.