Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand disavows Bill Clinton now that he can’t help her anymore

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand disavows Bill Clinton now that he can’t help her anymore

In 2009, Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed to fill the Senate seat of Hillary Clinton, upon her confirmation as Secretary of State.

Until yesterday, Gillibrand was happy to benefit from the massive Clinton fundraising and political machine. Despite the serious accusations of rape and sexual assault made by several women against Bill Clinton, and despite the affair Bill had with Monica Lewinsky, a young intern over whom Bill exercised supervisory power. And despite Hillary’s role in attacking the women making the accusations.

Bill Clinton was an early supporter of Gillibrand, appearing with her in 2006 when she was running for Congress:

Gillibrand returned the favor by being an strong backer of Hillary for President.

I’ve been lucky to have women mentors throughout my life, each of whom played a big role in leading me on my path to public service. My grandmother showed me the power of women’s voices by organizing women in Albany to help elect candidates who shared their values. My extraordinary mother, who was one of only three women in her law school class, served as a professional role model for my friends and me.

But in my adult life, politically, no one has inspired me to get off the sidelines and truly make a difference more than Hillary Clinton has.

And as part of backing Hillary, Gillbrand noted how Bill helped Gillibrand (emphasis added):

It was just a few years later that my husband Jonathan and I moved back to the Albany area, where I grew up, to prepare for my own run for office. I was lucky enough to receive guidance and mentorship from Hillary during that run, and was truly honored that President Bill Clinton campaigned for me in my first run for Congress in 2006.

Bill Clinton not only campaigned for Gillibrand, he endorsed her early in 2010 to stave off a possible challenge from Harold Ford, Jr.:

Former President Bill Clinton endorsed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Thursday – a possible indication that the seat’s former occupant, Hillary Clinton, approves too.

“President Clinton thinks she’s doing a good job and he supports her,” aide Matt McKenna said.

Bill Clinton’s entrance would make him the newest big-name Democrat to throw his weight behind Gillibrand, who faces a possible primary from ex-Tennessee congressman Harold Ford.

It would also be “consistent with [Hillary Clinton’s] role as a member of the Obama administration, which has strongly endorsed Sen. Gillibrand’s candidacy,” said Baruch College’s David Birdsell. But she can’t endorse a candidate as Secretary of State.

An aide said Gillibrand – who heartily backed Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential bid – “greatly appreciates President Clinton’s support for her agenda fighting for core Democratic values.”

Clintonworld also came to Gillibrand’s aid:

Even as rival Democrats are lining up to challenge to Kirsten E. Gillibrand next year, the new senator is acquiring a major advantage: much of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s extensive New York network of campaign operatives, donors and advisers.

Since Ms. Gillibrand was appointed in January, top Clinton aides have signed on to her campaign or Senate staff. Others with ties to Mrs. Clinton have worked to help smooth over rifts with groups that are skeptical of Ms. Gillibrand’s relatively conservative voting record. Some of Mrs. Clinton’s top presidential fund-raisers have joined Ms. Gillibrand’s finance team to help her raise the $70 million or more she will need for the 2010 and 2012 elections.

Everything currently known about Bill Clinton now was known when Gillibrand stated she was “truly honored” the Bill Clinton campaigned for her and when she accepted his endorsement, and tens of millions of dollars raised by Clintonworld.

That was when associating with the Clintons could help Gillibrand.

But in the wake of recent focus on sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry, the accusations against Roy Moore, and the proof of Sen. Al Franken’s non-consensual kissing and groping, associating with Bill Clinton no longer is politically viable.

So Gillibrand has had an awakening. She’s now decided that Bill Clinton should have resigned after the rape and sexual assault allegations. Which would have meant Hillary’s political = career would have ended in the 1990s, and Gillibrand never would have been appointed to fill Hillary’s Senate seat.

The NY Times reports, Gillibrand Says Bill Clinton Should Have Resigned Over Lewinsky Affair:

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, who holds Hillary Clinton’s former seat, said on Thursday that Bill Clinton should have resigned the presidency after his inappropriate relationship with an intern came to light nearly 20 years ago.

Asked directly if she believed Mr. Clinton should have stepped down at the time, Ms. Gillibrand took a long pause and said, “Yes, I think that is the appropriate response.”

But she also appeared to signal that what is currently considered a fireable offense may have been more often overlooked during the Clinton era.

“Things have changed today, and I think under those circumstances there should be a very different reaction,” Ms. Gillibrand said. “And I think in light of this conversation, we should have a very different conversation about President Trump, and a very different conversation about allegations against him.”

This is all so convenient, as Brit Hume noted on Twitter:

Clintonworld is not happy.

Dems battle each other over sex scandals: @SenGillibrand says @BillClinton should have resigned the presidency after impeachment Hillary aide @PhilippeReines calls her out as hypocrite after taking Clinton money and support for 20 years

— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) November 17, 2017

Ken Starr spent $70 million on a consensual blowjob. Senate voted to keep POTUS WJC. But not enough for you @SenGillibrand? Over 20 yrs you took the Clintons’ endorsements, money, and seat. Hypocrite.

Interesting strategy for 2020 primaries. Best of luck.https://t.co/KIsnfY4WLT

— Philippe Reines (@PhilippeReines) November 17, 2017

Gillibrand’s awakening is not about a true concern for Monica Lewinsky, or even women in general. It’s purely political convenience.

Bill Clinton is a liability to Democrats only because having Bill in the news limits Democrats ability to attack Republicans. So Bill needs to be thrown overboard.

[Featured Image: Bill Clinton at Gillibrand for Congress rally 2006]

[Note: Featured image change after initial publication.]

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