The Obama charm offensive continues to work its magic. From the Politico:
Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) decided not to run for the Senate against Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) after receiving a phone call from President Obama urging him not to run.
Israel was planning on running as late as this morning, but after receiving an afternoon phone call from Obama, he changed his mind. He had already begun to hire staff in preparation for a Senate campaign, according to Empire State sources.
“I spoke with President Obama today. He asked me that I not run for the U.S. Senate this year. The President asked me to continue my leadership in Congress, working closely with him to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create new jobs through an intensified focus on renewable energy and green technology,” Israel said in a statement.
“This is a tough, heartfelt decision for me. I have received encouragement to pursue this fight from all corners of our great state. But in the interest of providing New York and our country with a united front for progressive change, I have decided to continue my efforts in Congress and not pursue a campaign for the U.S. Senate.”
All the rumblings that I was hearing over the past several weeks indicated that Izzy was pretty gung-ho at the prospect of waging a Senate campaign, so this strikes me as something of a surprise. Of course, Gillibrand still has at least a couple of other foes waiting in the wings in Reps. Carolyn McCarthy and Carolyn Maloney, and who knows how receptive they’ll be to the President’s requests.
I like it. Will Maloney go for it or will she be getting a similar call?
My guess is she doesn’t get a real challenger.
Good call, Mr. President, good call.
NEVER! Bwahahahaha.
Do politicians really decide to forego a race they were eager for simply because the president asked them nicely? I’m thinking there was some carrot and/or stick here that didn’t make it into the story.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for Gillibrand and I’m glad to see Obama will take an active role in campaigning for our candidates (I was a little worried he might try to stay out of the fray for awhile there), but I think this has some downsides.
For one, I think Gillibrand could use a primary to sharpen her political skills and strengthen herself for the general election, not to mention introduce herself to her constituents who still don’t know her. For another, I think the candidate should ultimately be decided by the voters in the primary, not the machine, even if the guy running the machine is someone I really, really like.
Also, what implications does this have on Pennsylvania? Will Sestak bow out so easily if the President asks him to? Or Colorado, assuming someone does primary Bennet?
I notice Obama hasn’t called Sestak yet in Pennsylvania. Then again, I’m not sure Sestak would be inclined to change his mind just because the president called.
Still, this is good news, as Israel is to the right of Gillibrand.
into offering him a chairmanship or something.