Who did he pick? According to WPIX in New York, it's...

PIX NEWS is being told that Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand is the reported choice of Governor David Paterson to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton. Two Congressional sources say members of the New York delegation have been invited to join Governor Paterson for the announcement in Albany at noon tomorrow.

Two members of that delegation, agreeing to speak without attribution, confirmed to reporter Marvin Scott that the Governor has telephoned New York's Democratic members of Congress for their views after Caroline Kennedy withdrew herself from consideration. One of the contenders, longterm Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney canceled a scheduled appearance on "PIX News Closeup" tomorrow because of a "conflict," which she did not disclose. She too will be in Albany. According to the sources, Gillibrand, now in her second congressional term, was favored by Secretary of State Clinton herself. Paterson has been under pressure to select a woman.

Kirsten Gillibrand represents New York's 20th Congressional district (upstate counties of Saratoga, Dutchess, Columbia, Rensselaer, Washington, Warren, Delaware, Greene, Essex and Otsego). Upstate representation, as well as pressure to name a woman to the seat, were factors discussed in the media.

There is expected to be a webcast of the event, so stay tuned and check the Governor's web site. If I learn more I'll post it.

I wondered how Gillibrand is on LGBT issues. Her web site doesn't say anything about it. She's pro-gun, pro-family farm and wants health care reform. Looking at this site, it's a mixed bag. She supported non-inclusive ENDA.

* Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation. (Nov 2007)

* Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment. (Mar 2007)

* Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Jan 2007)

* Ensure access to and funding for contraception. (Feb 2007)

* She's a member of the "Blue Dog" Coalition of conservative Democrats. (Nov 2007)

However, if you look at the HRC scorecard, she scored 80 out of 100. And...

According to the Human Rights Campaign, she voted against the repealing of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” legislation, opposed legislation that would grant equal tax treatment for employer-provided health coverage for domestic partners, opposed legislation to grant same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and permanent residents the same immigration benefits of married couples and opposed legislation to permit state Medicaid programs to cover low-income, HIV-positive Americans before they develop AIDS.

Fail. We can't have an unreliable Dem vote in the U.S. Senate, but that's what the Empire State has now.