New York's new senator an upgrade over Hillary

Fox News:

New York Gov. David Paterson will name Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, an upstate Democrat, to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate, a Democratic official with knowledge of the governor's decision told FOX News on Thursday night.

Gillibrand, elected in 2006, represents the state's 20th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is the first Democrat to represent the district since 1978 -- and the first female representative of the district.

Paterson is scheduled to formally announce his pick Friday.

"I'm honored just to be considered," Gillibrand, 42, told FOX News earlier Thursday.

But some New York City Democrats are skeptical of Gillibrand, who voted against the financial rescue package last fall. And the National Rifle Association has endorsed Gillibrand -- another cause for concern among some Democrats.

In defense of the endorsement, Gillibrand told FOX News that she come from a "hunting family" and "wants to support hunter's rights."

Gillibrand had her second child last May, making her only the sixth woman to bear a child while serving in Congress.

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Gillibrand also had the advantage of being somewhat articulate which puts her well ahead of Caroline Kennedy. She is not likely to embarrass herself. Her biggest flaw is that she is a Democrat, but that is to be expected when a Democrat governor is doing the selection. She should be more moderate than Clinton of Schumer which is pretty easy, but too rare in New York politicians.