It wasn't too long ago that the annual New York State Fair was a regular stop for a U.S. Senator from New York considered a likely candidate for President. That, of course was Hillary Clinton. But, as YNN's Bill Carey reports, there is some talk percolating in political circles about a potential national role for New York's newest U.S. Senator.
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- By most accounts, New York's junior U.S. Senator, who is still filling out what remained of Hillary Clinton's term is headed into the fall, likely to win her first six year term. She says her travels across the state have brought her closer to the people she represents.
Gillibrand said, “My job in this election is to talk to voters, tell them what I care about, what I'm fighting for and why I represent their views and values better.”
Gillibrand has surprised a number of political observers who thought the former congresswoman, virtually unknown before her appointment to the Senate in 2008, might have a hard time hanging on to the seat. She has done so well that people have begun mentioning her name in connection with 2016 when democrats will be selecting a new national ticket. Many of the people meeting the Senator say it's not a bad idea.
“That would be wonderful. Yeah, that would be great,” Auburn resident Margaret Ganey said.
“Think she's ready?” our reporter asked.
Ganey replied, “I think she will be by then.”
The woman hoping to derail Kirsten Gillibrand's political career was visiting the State Fair, as well. Her view, obviously, is very different.
“I don't know where it's coming from, but it strikes me as fairly ridiculous. She strikes me as someone who is fundamentally ‘unserious’ and hasn't addressed the needs of New York,” U.S. Senate candidate Wendy Long said.
Next week, Gillibrand is due to meet with Democratic National Convention delegates from Iowa, the type of session presidential hopefuls take part in, although she brushes aside the speculation.
“Of course, it's very kind and flattering, but my intention is to be Senator from New York, as long as possible and I don't have that interest. But I appreciate it. It's nice,” Gillibrand said.
While it may be flattering that there's discussion of her name for a potential national ticket role in 2016, all of that talk cold prove to be a drawback for a Senator seeking re-election in 2012.
Voters tend to want their candidates to stay in the job they're elected to. And the Senator is ready to take the further step. A pledge that she is going nowhere in 2016.
Gillibrand said, “Yes. I plan to serve my entire term. I want this job. This is the job I want and I really love serving in the U.S. Senate.”
If she scores a big victory in November, though, expect the "talk" to intensify.