In Gillibrand-Treadwell race, bipartisan opposition to bailout

Kirsten Gillibrand and Sandy Treadwell don’t agree on much, but the Democratic incumbent and her Republican challenger issued nearly identical statements today condemning the $700 billion dollar Wall Street bailout.

Gillibrand voted “No” on the measure.

“While I am fully aware of the seriousness of the financial problems in the market, I do not believe the bill Congress voted on today was the right approach. The bill has insufficient oversight and protections and does not address the root causes of the crisis or the poor economy.”

Treadwell also issued a statement, arguing that the bipartisan measure lacked “taxpayer protections and would have allowed Wall Street executives to continue to make millions while taxpayers foot the bill.”

In her statement, Gillibrand writes at length about the principles that led her to vote against the bailout.

But the decision also gives the Democrat some prized political cover in the final weeks of what looks to be a bruising campaign.

In casting her Nay vote, Gillibrand bucked her party’s leadership — including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — on one of the most important measures taken up by Congress in the last decade.