Political opportunism is essential for politicians setting their sights on the 2020 presidential election, and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is wasting no time preparing for her run.

Some of her recent actions, including her vocal role in the #MeToo movement and confrontation of President Donald Trump on Twitter, have some Democrats calling for Gillibrand’s nomination for the 2020 presidential election. But, for now at least, Gillibrand is not the answer. She’ll do whatever necessary to advance her career, even if that means turning her back on New York.

“Sticking to one point of view and one policy position has always been valued in American politics, to a fault I might add,” said Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute at Syracuse University.

Only a decade ago, Gillibrand was representing upstate New York’s 20th Congressional District, winning the Republican-leaning electorate by sharing their conservative viewpoints. She was pro-gun and had an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association, according to The Hill.

Compare that Gillibrand to the one who recently visited “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” to discuss how politicians can, and should, break the NRA’s “chokehold” on Congress.

Gillibrand has flipped on other key issues since being elected to the Senate. She chalks up her previously held beliefs to ignorance, and while that might seem like a likely excuse, her Senate seat would’ve been further out of reach — and campaign donors would’ve been more hesitant to provide funding — if she hadn’t changed those views.

Reeher said flip-flopping politicians can escape political damage by “limiting the number of high-profile issues on which he or she changes positions, making just one change in any policy area, and having a clear, succinct explanation of why the position changed.”

If Gillibrand can follow this advice, her view changes could be defended in a general election. But given her track record, there’s still reason to believe Gillibrand can do the same thing again. This time, though, it’ll be on a larger-scale and it’ll betray an entire state rather than just one district.

And Gillibrand’s hypocrisy has continued with her current opportunism. She was recently applauded for her bravery after saying former President Bill Clinton should have resigned for sexual misconduct, yet she happily accepted endorsements and funding from the Clinton family for nearly 20 years, Philippe Reines, a former adviser to Hillary Clinton, claimed on Twitter.

Recent headlines also promote Gillibrand’s resume as a social activist, not as a leader who puts the most serious issues first — like the economy, which 84 percent of registered voters in 2016 said is “very important,” per Pew Research Center. Issues of sexual harassment or gender equality, topics Gillibrand receives the most attention for, weren’t listed on the survey.

In a recent “60 Minutes” interview, Gillibrand was branded as the #MeToo senator, and all questions were directed toward her thoughts on sexual harassment, rather than pressing issues like DACA, health care or foreign policy.

Gillibrand is taking calculated risks to get her name out, but she should be cautious. Voters may hesitate to rally behind a president known for hypocritically championing the movement against sexual harassment on Capitol Hill.

Fortunately, her interview with Colbert was about a different set of issues, which may jumpstart her popularity in other circles of political discourse.

“As far as 2020, the main thrust of the Democratic message will no doubt be a multi-front criticism of President Trump, both his style and substance,” Reeher said.

Gillibrand seems apt to convey such a message, so she will be a contender, no question. The country also seems to be awaiting the first woman president, and Gillibrand can come across as an experienced politician who can escape the more serious criticism that was aimed toward Hillary Clinton.

But in order to win, Gillibrand must provide voters with a stable, comprehensive platform. She must prove she isn’t just an ambitious career politician with a tendency to shift on key issues.

Until then, Democrats must keep their options open.

Joseph Pucciarelli is a junior public relations and history dual major. His column appears biweekly. He can be reached at jjpuccia@syr.edu and followed on Twitter @JoeyPucciarelli.

Published on March 4, 2018 at 10:36 pm