Patterson Picks Gillibrand (Who?)

New York Gov. David Paterson has selected an NRA-endorsed moderate Democrat from Upstate New York to replace liberal lioness Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate – a move that is likely to stoke significant criticism within his party and fan the flames over the dramatic collapse of Caroline Kennedy’s bid.

Paterson’s appointment of 42-year-old Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand is sure to set the liberal fringe of the party (which wanted Kennedy), in addition to setting off male water cooler chatter across America about whether or not they would “go there.”

Frankly, Gillibrand’s got a Suzy Q look we really like, but that’s just us.

Plus her name really is Kirsten, not Kristen. Which we’ve always thought was kinda hot.

Anyway, Paterson made the surprise pick at 2:00 a.m. this morning, according to the New York Times, and will make it official at a noon press conference today in Albany.

In replacing an international celebrity with a lawmaker who’s barely known in her own state, Paterson certainly did the unconventional.

He may have also invited a 2010 primary challenger from the far left of the Democratic Party, as the Times is reporting this morning that Long Island Rep. Carolyn McCarthy has stated she would challenge Gillibrand if Paterson ended up picking her.

Which he obviously now has.

A financial consultant from just outside of Albany, Gillibrand has only served one term in the U.S. House, and prior to being tapped by Paterson for the Senate was rumored to be on the GOP’s list of vulnerable Democratic incumbents.

She’s married with a five-year-old and six-month-old baby.

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