"What does she stand for?"

Politico is reporting this morning that questions still “linger” about the political viability of NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

Her appointment from the Upstate/North Country 20th district rankled many of New York’s congressional delegation.

Long Island Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, who has pledged to run if none of her colleagues step forward, complains that Gillibrand “has changed her mind on just about every subject.

“What does she stand for?” McCarthy asked.

Manhattan Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who says she’s considering a bid, complained that Gillibrand’s two votes against the government’s $700 billion Wall Street rescue plan last fall amount to a slap across the face to most New Yorkers.

“This certainly was not a vote in the best interests of our state or our country,” Maloney said.

So far, no one has formally committed to running against Gillibrand and she’s been moving fast to lock down support from the Democratic Party’s leadership.

But the New York Senate race still promises (threatens?) to be one of the most competitive in the country, with Republicans scrambling to mount a credible campaign for the seat.