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N.Y. Rep. Gilman (R) Mulls Party Switch to Democrat
Las Vegas Sun ^
| June 05, 2002
| Editorial Staff
Posted on 06/06/2002 7:55:05 PM PDT by vannrox
June 05, 2002
N.Y. Rep. Gilman Mulls Party Switch
WASHINGTON- With his job on the chopping block, the senior Republican in New York's congressional delegation is considering a switch to the Democratic Party.
A spokesman for Rep. Benjamin Gilman said Tuesday that State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democrat, broached the idea with the GOP lawmaker during a private meeting in Albany, N.Y., about congressional redistricting.
"He told the speaker it was a very interesting offer," Brian Walsh said of Gilman's reaction, declining to elaborate.
Silver said he told Gilman on Monday that if the congressman runs as a Democrat, "I would support him."
Gilman, the 79-year-old former chairman of the House International Relations Committee, has represented a district just north of New York City since 1972. He is a moderate Republican.
The state Legislature must eliminate two of New York's 31 congressional seats because of slow population growth as reported by the 2000 Census. The latest redistricting plan under consideration would put Gilman in a district with fellow GOP Rep. Sue Kelly, who is serving her fourth term.
That new district would favor Kelly because it includes most of her current district.
A party switch by Gilman would, at the very least, force the GOP to spend heavily to defend Kelly at a time when Democrats are making a strong bid to take control of the House. Republicans now hold a 222-211 advantage, with two independents.
State legislative leaders have renewed efforts in the last week to devise new congressional district lines to avoid having a plan created by a court-appointed special master take effect.
Walsh said Gilman also is considering legal options to try to save his district.
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On the Net:
Gilman's office: http://www.house.gov/gilman
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TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: New York
KEYWORDS: backroom; congress; democrat; dnc; finance; gilman; greed; money; name; only; republican; rino; rnc; senate; speaker; switch
R.I.N.O?
1
posted on
06/06/2002 7:55:05 PM PDT
by
vannrox
To: vannrox
79 years old? Maybe it's time to pack it in and get some time on the beach.
2
posted on
06/06/2002 7:59:23 PM PDT
by
Cicero
To: vannrox
This is totally media driven by the Democrats. Last night Congressman Tom Davis (the head of the Republican Congressional Re-Election Committee) said it wasn't true.
3
posted on
06/06/2002 8:00:47 PM PDT
by
Deb
To: Deb
What is your overall feel for how many sseats we will pickup bacause of redistristing?
4
posted on
06/06/2002 8:05:16 PM PDT
by
cksharks
To: vannrox
Almost every republican in NY is a rino. Some are just more partisian then others.
5
posted on
06/06/2002 8:09:09 PM PDT
by
Sonny M
To: vannrox
The state Legislature must eliminate two of New York's 31 congressional seats because of slow population growth as reported by the 2000 Census. That's because the state is pretty much run by Democrats. Working people and business can't afford to stay in NY. They leave for greener pastures. They aren't stupid.
The rest of the potential population is aborted by the liberals.
To: cksharks
The last I heard Charlie Cook said 11. I sure hope so.
7
posted on
06/06/2002 8:28:29 PM PDT
by
Deb
To: Deb
Thanks that is what I heard also.
8
posted on
06/06/2002 8:36:08 PM PDT
by
cksharks
To: vannrox
Of course. New York is a political Sarengeti.
To: vannrox
10
posted on
06/06/2002 9:33:57 PM PDT
by
Slyfox
To: Deb
It is more like 3-4 seats, not 11. Charlie doesn't believe it is 11 either. Not even Davis says that anymore for public consumption.
11
posted on
06/06/2002 9:47:48 PM PDT
by
Torie
To: Deb
No one knows what Gilman will do, probably not even Gilman. He has about a 35%-40% chance I would guess of beating Kelly as a Dem if he runs against her.
12
posted on
06/06/2002 9:48:58 PM PDT
by
Torie
To: vannrox
It's Ny A RINO what else fron the state that gives us H.C.
To: Torie
We were talking about GOP seats from re-districting. Is that what you're saying?
14
posted on
06/07/2002 1:18:41 AM PDT
by
Deb
To: Deb
Yep.
15
posted on
06/07/2002 8:34:55 AM PDT
by
Torie
To: Torie
Damn.
16
posted on
06/07/2002 11:19:15 AM PDT
by
Deb
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