Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Chuck Baldwin

2010-05-31T00:16:55Z

Kk: /* References */

'''Charles O. "Chuck" Baldwin''' (born in La Porte, Indiana; May 3, 1952) is the founder, pastor of Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola, [[Florida]]. He is a radio talk show host and the 2008 [[Constitution Party]] Presidential nominee. He was the 2004 Constitution Party Vice Presidential nominee, running with the 2004 Constitution Party Presidential nominee, [[Michael Peroutka]]. He has been an outspoken critic of President [[George W. Bush]] as well as other leaders in both the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] and [[Republican Party|Republican]] Parties. He supported Congressman [[Ron Paul]] in Paul's unsuccessful bid for the 2008 Republican Party Presidential nomination. His running mate in 2008 was Darrell Castle, a lawyer from Tennessee. The Constitution Party Presidential ticket was on the ballot in 2008 in 37 states, and was a qualified write-in ticket in 11 states. Baldwin received 199,314 popular votes in the 2008 Presidential election which was about 0.15 percent of the total<ref>http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2008/2008presgeresults.pdf</ref>.

=== External Links ===

*[http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/sketch.html Chuck Baldwin's Bio]
*[http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/ Chuck Baldwin Live]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{2008 presidential candidates}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baldwin, Chuck}}
[[Category:Constitution Party Politicians]]
[[Category:Clergy]]

Liberal Party of Canada

2010-05-31T00:12:32Z

Kk: wording

The '''Liberal Party of Canada''' is a federal political party within the [[Canadian]] Federal Government. Other Liberal Parties exist in all of the Canadian Provinces, but not all are directly afflicated with the federal party. The party's former leader [[Stéphane Dion]], was often portrayed as a very innefectual leader and is often lampooned in the Canadian media.<ref>Stéphane Dion [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLNfNsHooNo portrayed as an idiot by the CBC]</ref> He was ousted as leader in December 2008 by [[Michael Ignatieff]], who was been continuously seen as a opportunist and only in it for himself.

In the past, the party has been traditionally a center and slightly left of center party based chiefly in vote rich [[Ontario]] and [[Québec]], and has been known as "Canada's Governing Party" because of the large number of elections they have won. However, the party has been rocked by a sponsorship scandal in Québec of late, and their popularity has not returned. The Liberals have not been as popular in western Canada, where voters have voted for the [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservatives]].

The Liberal Party is has been plagued for years by corruption scandals. It also wholeheartedly rejects [[conservative]] and [[family values]]; it instituted socialized medicine, legalized [[gay marriage]], decriminalized [[marijuana]] possession, upholds taxpayer-funded [[abortion]], and affirms man-made [[global warming]]. Stéphane Dion, a former sociology professor, claims to be a devout Catholic.

The Liberal Party, and liberals in Canada are known informally as "Grits".

They are opposed by the [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative Party]], [[New Democratic Party]] and the sovereigntist [[Bloc Québecois]].

==External links==
* [http://www.liberal.ca/ Liberal Party of Canada official site]

==References==
{{reflist|small}}

[[Category:Canadian Political Parties]]
[[Category:Canadian History]]

Stéphane Dion

2010-05-31T00:10:32Z

Kk: pie in the face joke

[[Image:StephaneDion.jpg|right|thumb|Stephane Dion]]'''Stéphane Dion''' is the former leader of the [[Liberal Party of Canada]], the previous majority [[political party]] in [[Canada]]. He supports the [[Kyoto Protocol|Kyoto protocol]], taking firm action against [[Climate Change]] and opposes [[Québec sovereignty]]. He holds both Canadian and [[French]] citizenship. Dion's family even has a [[husky]] named "Kyoto" which they purchased "to cheer themselves up after the Liberals lost the 2006 federal election."<ref>http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=09fe377b-49bf-441b-9f23-6efd71abe000&k=50781</ref> In May 1999, Dion was the victim of a pie-in-the-face gag which he was not amused by, responded coldly to and even went as far as to press assault charges over.<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2000/05/17/pie_000517.html</ref> Stéphane Dion has also been criticized for being unable to speak fluent [[English]].

The Liberal Party lost additional seats in the 2008 Canadian Election, and Dion said that the party lost because he did not get the Liberal message out, and took responsibility saying “If people are asking why, it's because I failed.” Dion was replaced by [[Michael Ignatieff]] in 2008. Despite this he contiunes to hold his seat in the House of Commons.

== References ==
<references/>

[[category:Canadian Political People]]
[[Category: Liberals]]
{{DEFAULTSORT: Dion, Stéphane}}

Belinda Stronach

2010-05-31T00:03:46Z

Kk: wording

[[File:Belinda Stronach.jpg|thumb|Belinda Stronach]]

'''Belinda Stronach''' is a former Member of [[Parliament]] in the Canadian House of Commons who infamously switched parties in 2005 just before a critical vote on the legalization of [[same sex marriage]].

Prior to her political career Stronach attempted to gain a Business Degree but dropped out after the first year. Her father then appointed her to serve on his company's board of directors and then as it's Executive Vice-President. She would later become Magna International's Chief Executive Officer.

In her early political career she was believed to have had ties to the Canadian Alliance Party and supported Preston Manning's bid in 2000 for leadership of the party.

In early 2004 she unsuccessfully ran for the leadership of the newly formed [[Conservative Party of Canada]]. Despite spend more money on her campaign then victor, [[Stephen Harper]] she still lost by a large margin. This was mostly seen because of her failure to attend the televised debate between the candidates, her poor performance when making her speech at the leadership convention, along with her ideology on social issues being seen as too left-wing.

However despite losing the party's leadership she went on to get elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 2004 federal election by a extremely small margin. She representing the newly former riding, Newmarket—Aurora. In early 2005, Stronach made a highly controversial political move to gain more personal power by announced she would switch parties to join the governing Liberals. Directly after doing so she was made a Cabinet Minister in the Canadian government by [[Paul Martin]].

As a Liberal MP she engaged in such activities as attending a gay rights celebration and being seen in photos from the event with several of the homosexual models that were present.<ref>[http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/06/10/mps-gay-rights-and-underwear-models-the-bonus-pics/ MPs, gay rights and models]</ref> She was also seen in a video from the 2006 election campaign in which she becomes shifty eyed and tugs on her collar twice when Prime Minister Martin announced plans to tax the rich, like her, more if re-elected.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1S0cyVMxTQ Belinda's Hot Flinch]</ref>

She was re-elected in the 2006 federal election as a Liberal after she forced the party to drop its planned nominee. She announced in April 2007 she would not seek re-election, and would return to Magna International as Executive Vice-Chairman.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stronach, Belinda}}
[[Category:Canadian Political People]]

Belinda Stronach

2010-05-31T00:00:25Z

Kk: acts as a Liberal MP

[[File:Belinda Stronach.jpg|thumb|Belinda Stronach]]

'''Belinda Stronach''' is a former Member of [[Parliament]] in the Canadian House of Commons who infamously switched parties in 2005 just before a critical vote on the legalization of [[same sex marriage]].

Prior to her political career Stronach attempted to gain a Business Degree but dropped out after the first year. Her father then appointed her to serve on his company's board of directors and then as it's Executive Vice-President. She would later become Magna International's Chief Executive Officer.

In her early political career she was believed to have had ties to the Canadian Alliance Party and supported Preston Manning's bid in 2000 for leadership of the party.

In early 2004 she unsuccessfully ran for the leadership of the newly formed [[Conservative Party of Canada]]. Despite spend more money on her campaign then victor, [[Stephen Harper]] she still lost by a large margin. This was mostly seen because of her failure to attend the televised debate between the candidates, her poor performance when making her speech at the leadership convention, along with her ideology on social issues being seen as too left-wing.

However despite losing the party's leadership she went on to get elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 2004 federal election by a extremely small margin. She representing the newly former riding, Newmarket—Aurora. In early 2005, Stronach made a highly controversial political move to gain more personal power by announced she would switch parties to join the governing Liberals. Directly after doing so she was made a Cabinet Minister in the Canadian government by [[Paul Martin]].

As a Liberal MP she engaged in such activities as attending a gay rights celebration and being seen in photos from the event with several of the homosexual models that were present.<ref>[http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/06/10/mps-gay-rights-and-underwear-models-the-bonus-pics/ MPs, gay rights and models]</ref> She was also seen in a video from the 2006 election campaign in which she becomes shifty eyed and tugs on her collar twice when Prime Minister Martin announced plans to tax the rich, like her, more if re-elected.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1S0cyVMxTQ Belinda's Hot Flinch]</ref>

She was re-elected in the 2006 federal election as Liberal after forcing out the planned Liberal nominee. She announced in April 2007 she would not seek re-election, and would return to Magna International as Executive Vice-Chairman.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stronach, Belinda}}
[[Category:Canadian Political People]]

Cynthia McKinney

2010-05-30T23:43:12Z

Kk: wording

[[File:Cynthia McKinney.jpg|thumb|Cynthia McKinney]]

'''Cynthia McKinney''' (born March 17, 1955 in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]]) is a former [[liberal]] [[Democrat]] United States [[Congress|Congresswoman]] from the state of Georgia's Fourth Congressional District from 1993-2003 and 2005-2007. Prior to being elected to Congress, from 1988 to 1992, she was a Georgia state legislator.

McKinney, who was defeated for reelection by her own party in 2002 after voting against the [[Iraq War]], was again defeated in 2006 by her own party after creating a disturbance during which she struck a Capitol Hill [[police officer]] who stopped her after she tried to illegally bypass a metal detector.<ref>[http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2006/04/arrest_warrant_.html Arrest warrant sought for Rep. McKinney], USA Today''.</ref>

Depsite this she still ran for the [[United States]] [[Presidency]] on the [[environmentalist]] [[Green Party]] ticket with her running mate, Rosa Clemente during the 2008 Presidential election. However this was only after she came in last out of five challengers for the Peace and Freedom party nomination.<ref>[http://www.democracynow.org/2008/2/4/former_democratic_rep_cynthia_mckinney_seeks? Former Democratic Rep. Cynthia McKinney Seeks Presidency as Green Party Nominee], February 04, 2008.</ref>

She has also been tainted by such activity as attempting to [[impeachment]] President [[George W. Bush]]<ref>[http://www.gnn.tv/articles/2791/BREAKING_Congresswoman_McKinney_Files_Articles_of_Impeachment]</ref> and involvement in the highly controversal 9/11 Truth Movement group.

==Also See==
*[[Chip_Berlet#Eco-racism|Eco-racism]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{2008 presidential candidates}}
{{Liberalism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McKinney, Cynthia}}

[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Anti-war Movements]]
[[Category:Third Party Politicians]]
[[Category:2008 Presidential Candidates]]
[[Category:Liberals]]

Reform Party of Canada

2010-05-30T23:28:25Z

Kk: start

The '''Reform Party of Canada''' was a Canadian federal political party from 1987 to 2000. It was founded after the popularity of the Progressive Conservative party decreased as they moved more to the left politically. It was mostly supported by Western Canada but did expand eastward in the 1990s. It viewed itself as a true Conservative party and went on to become the more conservative [[Canadian Alliance]] and move more to the right in the 2000s. It merged with the PC party in 2003 to form the [[Conservative Party of Canada]]. This united Conservative forces in Canada and led to the Conservative party forming the Government of Canada. During its time as a Canadian political party it had only one leader, Preston Manning.

== See also ==

*[[Conservative Links]]
*[[Conservative Party of Canada]]

[[Category:Canadian Political Parties]]
[[Category:Conservative Political Parties]]

Carly Fiorina

2010-05-30T23:13:49Z

Kk: Palin endorsement

[[File:Carly Fiorina 1.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Carly Fiorina]]

'''Carly Fiorina''' (born September 6, 1954) was president and chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard Company from 1999 to 2005, the largest global technology company in the world. Previously she held senior leadership positions at AT&T and Lucent Technologies for nearly 20 years. [[Fortune]] Magazine ranked her the most powerful woman in American business <ref>http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1998/10/12/249284/index.htm</ref> and [[Time Magazine]] listed her as one of the top 100 most influential people in the world. <ref>http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2005/time100-0413.html</ref> She is a graduate from [[Stanford University]] and holds a master of science degree from [[MIT]]'s Sloan School.

Carly Fiorina has [[conservative]] [[Republican]] leanings, though she has shown an unusual amount of sympathy for the [[pro-choice]] movement.<ref>http://www.lifenews.com/state4377.html</ref> She actively supported [[Mitt Romney]]'s 2008 primary campaign and later [[John McCain]]'s presidential campaign. Fiorina has announced she is running for the [[U.S. Senate]] in 2010 against [[Barbara Boxer]]. Her Senate bid has since been endorsed by [[Sarah Palin]], calling her the only candidate that can defeat Barbara Boxer.

On February 20, 2009 Fiorina was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent surgery at Stanford Hospital on March 2, 2009 followed by chemotherapy, which caused her to lose her hair, and radiation therapy. She has been given "an excellent prognosis for a full recovery."

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.carlyfiorina.com/ Carly Fiorina Enterprises]

{{DEFAULTSORT: Fiorina, Carly}}
[[Category:Business People]]
[[Category:Fiscal Conservatives]]
[[Category:2010 Midterm Elections]]
[[Category:Women]]

Cynthia McKinney

2010-05-30T23:11:05Z

Kk: controversal activities

[[File:Cynthia McKinney.jpg|thumb|Cynthia McKinney]]

'''Cynthia McKinney''' (born March 17, 1955 in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]]) is a former [[liberal]] [[Democrat]] United States [[Congress|Congresswoman]] from the state of Georgia's Fourth Congressional District from 1993-2003 and 2005-2007. Prior to being elected to Congress, from 1988 to 1992, she was a Georgia state legislator.

McKinney, who was defeated for reelection by her own party in 2002 after voting against the [[Iraq War]], was again defeated in 2006 by her own party after creating a disturbance during which she struck a Capitol Hill [[police officer]] who stopped her after she tried to illegally bypass a metal detector.<ref>[http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2006/04/arrest_warrant_.html Arrest warrant sought for Rep. McKinney], USA Today''.</ref>

Depsite this she still ran for the [[United States]] [[Presidency]] on the [[environmentalist]] [[Green Party]] ticket with her running mate, Rosa Clemente during the 2008 Presidential election. This was only after she came in last out of five challengers for the 2008 Peace and Freedom Party Presidential nomination.<ref>[http://www.democracynow.org/2008/2/4/former_democratic_rep_cynthia_mckinney_seeks? Former Democratic Rep. Cynthia McKinney Seeks Presidency as Green Party Nominee], February 04, 2008.</ref>

She has also been tainted by such activity as attempting to [[impeachment]] President [[George W. Bush]]<ref>[http://www.gnn.tv/articles/2791/BREAKING_Congresswoman_McKinney_Files_Articles_of_Impeachment]</ref> and by being involved in the highly controversal 9/11 Truth Movement.

==Also See==
*[[Chip_Berlet#Eco-racism|Eco-racism]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{2008 presidential candidates}}
{{Liberalism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McKinney, Cynthia}}

[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Anti-war Movements]]
[[Category:Third Party Politicians]]
[[Category:2008 Presidential Candidates]]
[[Category:Liberals]]

RINO

2010-05-30T22:59:26Z

Kk: /* Former RINOs */

[[File:Kel-rino.jpg|thumb|250px|Sergeant [[Jesse Kelly]] runs for Congress in Arizona in 2009 and attacks the RINOs in the GOP]]
A '''RINO''' ('''R'''epublican '''i'''n '''N'''ame '''O'''nly), describes politicians who claim to be Republican but are in fact [[liberal]], and therefore generally debase the winning conservative coalition base of the Republican Party. The term is used to characterize an officeholder or candidate who is a member of the [[Republican Party]], but holds views outside the mainstream Republican Party such as support for raising taxes, abortion as a right, gay rights and gun control. RINOs and Reform Democrats typically come from [[New England]] or West Coast states. A less-used term is '''cafeteria conservative''', for a person who picks and chooses which [[conservative]] principles to believe, as a person might choose foods in a cafeteria instead of ordering the full-course ''menu'' selected by the chef at high-class restaurants.<ref>[http://www.manp.org/association-spotlight/archives/james-carville-mary-matalin-he-said-she-said James Carville & Mary Matalin: He Said, She Said]</ref> In contrast to RINO's and cafeteria conservatives, [[movement conservative]]s understand that since conservative philosophy is a coherent whole, it is untenable to discard part of it without discarding all of it.

The targets of attack argue they follow middle of the road policies and are not liberals; they claim they get results, and insist that without them the Congress would be totally controlled by liberal Democrats and Republicans would rarely have any success. Conservatives respond that in the heyday of "Rockefeller liberalism" in the GOP the Democrats always controlled Congress, and the GOP only took power when [[Newt Gingrich]] launched a national conservative "Contract with America" in 1994, ending 40 years of Democratic control of the House.

In recent Republican primaries, voters have been rejecting establishment RINOs in favor of those with stronger conservative principles.

== RINOs ==
*Senator [[Olympia J. Snowe]] of [[Maine]]

*Senator [[Susan Collins]] of [[Maine]]

*Senator [[George Voinovich]] of [[Ohio]]

*Senator [[Lindsey Graham]] of [[South Carolina]]

*Senator [[Scott Brown]] of [[Massachusetts]]

*Former Senator [[Gordon Smith]] of [[Oregon]]

*Congressman [[Michael Castle]] of [[Delaware]]

*Congressman [[Mark Kirk]] of [[Illinois]]

*Former Congressman [[Christopher Shays]] of [[Connecticut]]

*Former Congressman [[Joe Scarborough]] of Florida

*Former Congressman [[Tom Campbell]] of [[California]]

*Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] of [[California]]

*Governor [[Linda Lingle]] of Hawaii

*Former Secretary of State [[Colin Powell]]

*Former Governor [[George Pataki]] of [[New York]]

*Former Governor and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator [[Christine Todd Whitman]] of [[New Jersey]]

*Former [[New York City]] Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]]

*Former United States Secretary of [[Homeland Security]] [[Tom Ridge]].

*Former Senator [[Charles Mathias]] of [[Maryland]]

*Former New York Congressional Candidate [[Dede Scozzafava]]

*Transportation Secretary [[Ray Lahood]]

==Former RINOs==

*Senator [[Arlen Specter]] of [[Pennsylvania]], who became a Democrat in 2009.

*Former Senator [[Lincoln Chafee]] of [[Rhode Island]], who became an Independent in 2007.

*Former Senator [[Lowell Weicker]] of [[Connecticut]], who became an Independent.

*[[New York City]] Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]], who became an Independent.

*Former Senator Jim Jeffords of [[Vermont]], who left the Party in 2001, giving control of the Senate to the Democrats

*Governor [[Charlie Crist]] of [[Florida]], who became an independent after it was clear he would lose his Senate bid.

==McCain Speculation==

Some conservatives distrust [[John McCain]] and even call him a RINO, but his policies are that of a true conservative. Key RINO principles include support for gay rights, support for abortion, and support for earmarks; John McCain is against these positions. He has always worked in a bi-partisan fashion, reaching across the aisle whenever possible. The sacrifices he has made for this country cannot be overlooked, and his commitment to his duties is second to none. His fiscal conservatism, his support for families, and support for a strong national defense are in line with conservative, [[Reagan Republicans]].

==External Links==
* [http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/05/1615233/in-senate-primary-california-republicans.html In Senate primary, California Republicans run away from RINO label]

==See Also==
*[[Republican Party]]
*[[Moderate Republican]]
*[[Conservative Democrat]]
*[[Blue Dog Democrat]]
*[[Reagan Democrat]]
*[[Catholic in name only]]
*[[Liberal media conservative]]

{{Liberalism}}

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Conservative]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]

Cynthia McKinney

2010-05-30T22:57:40Z

Kk: presidential race

[[File:Cynthia McKinney.jpg|thumb|Cynthia McKinney]]

'''Cynthia McKinney''' (born March 17, 1955 in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]]) is a former [[liberal]] [[Democrat]] United States [[Congress|Congresswoman]] from the state of Georgia's Fourth Congressional District from 1993-2003 and 2005-2007. Prior to being elected to Congress, from 1988 to 1992, she was a Georgia state legislator.

McKinney, who was defeated for reelection by her own party in 2002 after voting against the [[Iraq War]], was again defeated in 2006 by her own party after creating a disturbance during which she struck a Capitol Hill [[police officer]] who stopped her after she tried to illegally bypass a metal detector.<ref>[http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2006/04/arrest_warrant_.html Arrest warrant sought for Rep. McKinney], USA Today''.</ref>

Depsite this she still ran for the [[United States]] [[Presidency]] on the [[environmentalist]] [[Green Party]] ticket with her running mate, Rosa Clemente during the 2008 Presidential election. This was only after she came in last out of five challengers for the 2008 Peace and Freedom Party Presidential nomination.<ref>[http://www.democracynow.org/2008/2/4/former_democratic_rep_cynthia_mckinney_seeks?], February 04, 2008.</ref>

==Also See==
*[[Chip_Berlet#Eco-racism|Eco-racism]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{2008 presidential candidates}}
{{Liberalism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McKinney, Cynthia}}

[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Anti-war Movements]]
[[Category:Third Party Politicians]]
[[Category:2008 Presidential Candidates]]
[[Category:Liberals]]

Kirsten Gillibrand

2010-05-30T22:51:21Z

Kk: Harold Ford has dropped out of the race

{{Officeholder
|name=Kirsten Gillibrand
|image=Gillibrand.jpg
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Jonathan Gillibrand
|religion=Roman Catholic
|offices=
{{Officeholder/senator
|state=New York
|terms=January 26, 2009 - Present
|preceded=[[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=New York
|district=20th
|terms=January 4, 2007 – January 26, 2009
|preceded=John E. Sweeney
|former=n
|succeeded=Scott Murphy
}}
}}

'''Kirsten E. Gillibrand''' (born December 9, 1966) (pronounced JILL-uh-brand) is a first-term United States senator from [[New York]]. Gillibrand served in the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 2007, to January 26, 2009, when she resigned to become a U.S. Senator. Gillibrand was appointed by NY Governor [[David A. Paterson|David Paterson]] on January 23, 2009 to the United States Senate for the term ending January 3, 2013, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of [[Hillary Clinton]]. This appointment took effect upon her resignation from the House of Representatives on January 26, 2009. Gillibrand took the oath of office on January 27, 2009. At forty-two years old she is the youngest member of the Senate.

Gillibrand is one of the most aggressive fund-raisers in the country, and prospective opponents have dropped out of the 2010 primary. Harold Ford, a former Congressman from Tennessee who lost a Senate bid there after voters reacted against his notoriously corrupt Memphis family was a notable challenger of her in the race until he dropped his bid to challenge her.
==Career==
From an upstate New York family long involved in politics, she graduated from Dartmouth College (1988) and UCLA Law School. At Dartmouth learned Chinese, spent a semester in China, and wrote a senior project on the topic, "The History of Tibetan Resistance to the Chinese Occupation of Tibet 1950-1988."

She is a Catholic, and is married with two children. Her husband, Jonathan Gillibrand, is a British citizen who works in finance.

Gillibrand worked for both Republicans and Democrats, and clerked for a senior federal judge --a Reagan appointee-- before working for a major law firm in New York City.

==Election==
Gillibrand was elected in 2006 after defeating incumbent Republican John E. Sweeney. She won by 6% of the vote.

==House==
Gillibrand is considered a [[Blue Dog Democrat]] for her conservative credentials, including a 100% rating from the [[NRA]], supports offshore drilling, and voted against the $700 billion bailout. However, she supports civil liberties and has a 100% rating from the [[ACLU]]. She supported redeployment of troops from Iraq to Afghanistan, and voted with the Bush administration and against her own party leadership on funding the Iraq war.<ref> See [http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/01/23/kirsten_gillibrand/ Joe Conason, "Kirsten Gillibrand. Really? Why New York Gov. David Paterson chose a senator with conservative views that clash with his own." ''Salon'' Jan. 23, 2009]</ref> She favors the English language-only movement as well as abortion rights; she has supported balanced budget amendments, and opposed amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Gillibrand is considered one of the Democratic Party's most active and aggressive grass roots campaigners, using her huge $4.6 million war chest to garner 65% of the vote in the 2008 election.

==U.S. Senate==
Gillibrand was nominated to fill the seat vacated by Hillary Clinton after she became Secretary of State in the [[Obama Administration]]. Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late president, had been considered the frontrunner until she mysteriously dropped out of the contest on Jan. 22. The choice of Gillibrand was a stunning blow to liberal forces in New York, who never dreamed she would displace their favorites. "She is on the right-wing of our Congressional delegation," said Danny Cantor, a liberal leader. "People change, and we’re going to be optimistic and hope she does too."<ref>Quoted in [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/24/nyregion/24gillibrand.html?ref=nyregion Michael Powell and Raymond Hernandez, "Gillibrand Is a Centrist With a Tenacious Style," ''New York Times'' Jan. 24, 2009] </ref>

Many staffers and supporters of Clinton have joined her team, which proposes to raise $70 million for her statewide reelection campaigns in 2010 and 2012. Gillibrand is not well known in New York City, the liberal stronghold where Democratic primaries are won and lost. However she has already amassed a huge war chest and no major opponents for the primary are in sight.

==ACORN==
After countless stories of election fraud by the group ACORN, Kirsten Gillibrand was one of seven Democrats that voted to continue funding [[ACORN]]. The vote failed and ACORN was stripped of funding in the Senate <ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27153.html Senate denies ACORN funding, Politico, September 14, 2009]</ref> Bill Wilson of Americans for Limited Government said, "The ACORN Housing Corporation has long been pushing the very loose-lending policies that helped destroy the housing industry. And now it has been exposed for working with prostitutes, as well. Yet, these seven Senators [Gillibrand] have knowingly voted to keep sending taxpayer money to a highly corrupt organization of pushers and pimps," <ref>[http://politicomafioso.blogspot.com/2009/09/alg-condemns-7-senators-for-voting-to.html ALG Condemns 7 Senators,Politico Mafioso, September 16, 2009]</ref>

==External Links==
*[http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/senators/one_item_and_teasers/gillibrand.htm Senator Kirsten Gillibrand - Official Senate Homepage]
*[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=412223 Senator Kirsten Gillibrand - GovTrack.us]

{{DEFAULTSORT: Gillibrand, Kirsten}}

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:2010 Midterm Elections]]
[[Category:New York]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]
[[Category:111th United States Congress]]