I strongly believe that Kirsten Gillibrand will remain the Congresswomen for the 20th district, following the 2008 elections. While a lot can change between now and the ever so important election day, a year and a half from now, she has the personal characteristics of a winner. The Republicans will target her and do all they can to bring her down. but her intelligence and passion will keep her going strong.

This past weekend, Kirsten came and spoke to Citizen Action, a non-partisan group which assisted in her election. While the activists in Citizen Action are often more ideological then those in the general voting population, she handled them well despite the troublesome circumstances that she came to them with, after voting for a resolution to continue funding the war in Iraq.

Kirsten is a true blue democrat, fully understanding and supporting traditional Democratic causes. She's also smart and pragmatic, and knows how to sell Democratic values to rural communities that might otherwise be hostile to them. She's out and ahead on farm policies, and she knows how to get support from rural communities. She also embraces their feelings, and is a passionate advocate for those who are traditionally disadvantaged in Rural America – from working folk to women.

While she can't be a representative of all the views in her 10-county district, she does sit and listen and make decisions after careful deliberations. She does not vote lock and step with the Speaker nor does she automatically vote with what is easy or popular in her district. She cares and she thinks, and she gets down and talks to people.

She also has grown as an elected official. When she first ran, you could see her discomfort with crowds. Now she is far more comfortable working with crowds. She's also greatly improved her speaking skills, beyond what she had as a practicing federal attorney. Kirsten also has controlled her weight, and learned to balance politics with staying healthy.

With her work on energy and agriculture policy, she is going to pick up a large portion of the farm vote. She's not afraid of cows, or tromping around dairy farms. That does a lot for her politically, and her work on behalf of farmers is one more key reason why she will win. Farming matters a lot, particularly to such a beautiful, but rural district.

All of these things, don't mean it will be an easy race. In contrast, the Republicans want this district back badly; They will put everything they have up against her, including linking her to San Fransisco liberals like Speaker Pelosi. They probably will dig up some dirt, but with her openness, it probably won't go that deep. Tons of money will be spent, and we must be out there working harder then the Republicans to keep her elected.

But after 2008, things look good for her. She has done an amazing job as Congresswomen, and her ideas will help make this rural district truly great again. While these rural counties are beautiful, there are so many things that could be done to make them truly great. With a Congresswomen like Kirsten Gillibrand, they are well on their way to becoming great.