The likely appointment of Kirsten Gillibrand, now beginning her second term as a Congresswoman from upstate New York, by Governor David Paterson is reminiscent of the last Senate appointment by a Governor of New York: the appointment of conservative New York Congressman Charles Goodell to replace the assassinated Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in 1968 by Governor Nelson Rockefeller.
Gillibrand is considered to be a centrist or conservative Democrat, supporting both the National Rifle Association and the war in Iraq. Goodell was similarly positioned in the right wing of the Republican Party.
Goodell, upon being appointed, however, announced deep admiration for Sen. Kennedy, and his determination to carry on the causes that motivated Sen. Kennedy's political career.
Goodell promptly became an opponent of the War in Vietnam. Indeed, he promptly became a leader of efforts to end the war in Vietnam.
He took up many of Robert Kennedy's concerns. Activists in increasing numbers started making trips to his office, because he was clearly establishing himself on being on the cutting edge of progressive thought. Given a statewide constituency in a moderate to liberal state, Goodell quickly morphed from one of the most conservative of House members to one of the most liberal of Senators.
Governor Rockefeller was increasingly appalled at Goodell's record; among his grievances had to be that he was making Rockefeller, who viewed himself as the epitome of moderate Republicanism, look like a staid conservative.
Rockefeller had appointed Goodell to be his olive branch to the right wing, not the fiery new leader of American liberalism.
James Buckley, the brother of conservative columnist William Buckley, soon entered the 1970 race as the nominee of the Conservative party, and picked up the enthusiastic support of President Nixon. Buckley ultimately won a three way general election race for the seat with a plurality of the votes, as Goodell was basically left to split up the moderate and liberal vote with Democratic nominee Richard Ottinger.
Goodell came in a distant third, and spent the rest of his life engaged in low key lobbying for obscure clients.
For Gillibrand, the lesson is this: her conservative positions as a House member certainly make her vulnerable in a Democratic primary in 2010, and open up the possibility of a third party challenge to appeal to mainstream Democrats.
But as her positions evolve, she has to carefully explain why they are evolving, and not just allow herself to be seen by political insiders, journalists, and informed voters as just an empty opportunist.
The Democratic Party needs to have two Senators from New York. It is her job to convince New Yorkers why she should remain one of them after 2010.
Occasionally, she may want to joke about her transition.
Pennsylvania State Representative Daylin Leach, one of the most friendly and engaging Pennsylvania legislators ever, told the House in his farewell address something like the following upon his election to the Pennsylvania State Senate last November:
"People have asked me whether being a state senator will change me. Absolutely not. I was arrogant and aloof before I was a state senator, and I pledge to you that I will not change a bit," he said to widespread laughter.