The Obama administration doesn't want Democrats to primary newbie New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand from the left. But Manhattan Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is doing so anyway. She'll have a huge deficit in fundraising. But today City Hall News reports that Bill Clinton has agreed to appear at a July 20 fundraiser for Maloney, alongside Charlie Rangel and Geraldine Ferraro. Maloney is also up for reelection to her House seat, so these appearances don't necessarily constitute Senate endorsements. Still, considering all the media interest in the Senate seat, there's no doubt that any politician or donor appearing with Maloney has considered the implications.One caveat: If Maloney wants to be taken seriously by New York progressives, she may want to steer clear of Ferraro, who enraged many during the Democratic presidential primary by suggesting that Barack Obama was only gaining traction because he was black. Then, when the Obama campaign criticized her comments, she called them racist. Yeah. It was crazy. Update: A Clinton aide says the appearance is not an endorsement and that the former president believes Gillibrand is doing "a good job."--Dana GoldsteinPhoto of Carolyn Maloney via Flickr user TalkRadioNews. DOES BILL CLINTON SUPPORT MALONEY OVER GILLIBRAND?
The Obama administration doesn't want Democrats to primary newbie New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand from the left. But Manhattan Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is doing so anyway. She'll have a huge deficit in fundraising. But today City Hall News reports that Bill Clinton has agreed to appear at a July 20 fundraiser for Maloney, alongside Charlie Rangel and Geraldine Ferraro. Maloney is also up for reelection to her House seat, so these appearances don't necessarily constitute Senate endorsements. Still, considering all the media interest in the Senate seat, there's no doubt that any politician or donor appearing with Maloney has considered the implications.One caveat: If Maloney wants to be taken seriously by New York progressives, she may want to steer clear of Ferraro, who enraged many during the Democratic presidential primary by suggesting that Barack Obama was only gaining traction because he was black. Then, when the Obama campaign criticized her comments, she called them racist. Yeah. It was crazy. Update: A Clinton aide says the appearance is not an endorsement and that the former president believes Gillibrand is doing "a good job."--Dana GoldsteinPhoto of Carolyn Maloney via Flickr user TalkRadioNews. 
