New York's newly appointed U.S. Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, has come around when it comes to the issue of gay marriage.

She just told the state's LGBT rights leaders that she now supports same-sex marriage, i.e. full gay marriage rights!, a departure from her previous position of supporting civil unions.

Miz Gillibrand's stance is even more gay-friendly than her predecessor's.

During her senate AND presidential campaigns Hillary Clinton spoke solely in support of civil unions.

The gay rights leaders released the following statement after their meeting with the new Senator:

“After talking to Kirsten Gillibrand, I am very happy to say that New York is poised to have its first U.S. Senator who supports marriage equality for same-sex couples. She also supports the full repeal of the federal DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) law, repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) and passage of legislation outlawing discrimination against transgender people. While we had a productive discussion about a whole range of LGBT concerns, I was particularly happy to hear where she stands on these issues.”

We're going to hold you to this, Miz Gillibrand!

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Finally!!!

This whole search has been so dramatic!

At noon today, Friday, New York governor David Paterson, will appoint 'conservative' Democratic NY Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to Hillary Clinton's vacant US Senate seat. Gillibrand was the first Democrat elected to upstate NY's 20th district since 1978 and the first woman to hold the seat.

This 'conservative' choice is apparently freaking out some Dem leaders. Gillibrand voted against the economic rescue package and is a known supporter of the NRA. She's also not down with the gays!!!

But, Rev. Al Sharpton did bring up some reasons why Gillibrand is a 'good' choice in a chat with Fox News. She'll draw into the fold conservative Dems who are powerful in upstate NY. The lefty rev said:

"I think politically it will help the governor, it will help the team. She will do some things for them upstate…look what happened in Virginia. Conservative democrats are winning so politically it might be a plus."

You've got some big shoes to fill, Miz Gillibrand.

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Hillary Clinton has just been confirmed as the new Secretary of State for the grand U.S. of A.

Woo hoo!!!!!

Congrats, Madame Secretary.

[Image via WENN.]

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While everyone else in Obama's Cabinet will likely receive their confirmation today, Hillary Rodham Clinton has been roadblocked by Texas' Republican Senator John Cornyn. His beef with Hill is the exact source and nature of foreign donations to husband Bill's foundation, citing a conflict of interest.

Hill has promised to provide further transparency with the foundation's annual donations, although some of the senators would prefer that the foundation accept no foreign donations at all while she she serves as secretary of state.

Though she is blocked for now, it is expected that Hillary will be confirmed by a roll call vote this Wednesday.

[Image via WENN.]

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What a Tuesday for Hillary Clinton!

The former presidential candidate is being grilled all day today by the U.S. Senate's Foreign Relations Committee for the Secretary of State nomination.

Apparently if the panel votes in her favor, she could be confirmed by the whole Senate by Inauguration Day.

Miz Clinton was accompanied to the hearing by her daughter, Chelsea.

It was smart of them to have Bubba stay back.

Although she's said to have bipartisan support for the top diplomat spot, concerns were raised about her husband's, former president Clinton, money grabbing from foreign governments.

Committe chair, Democrat John Kerry, said in his opening statement that while the committee still had some questions with respect to the fundraising activities of the Clinton Foundation, he was pleased that Hill would be addressing them directly at the hearing.

Senator Lugar of Indiana, the top Republican on the committee, commented that foreign governments could perceive donations to Bubba's library as a way to get some special attention from her as Madame Secretary.

Lugar said in his opening remarks that he did not expect the issue to be a barrier to Hillary's confirmation, but he called on the . Clinton Foundation to stop accepting foreign donations.

Bill's always gotta complicate things for Hil!

[Images via WENN.]

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Hillary Clinton still has a $6.3 million presidential campaign debt to payoff before she takes the reigns at the State Department.

So, Jon Bon Jovi has just stepped up to the plate to help her pay that shiz off!

The music man is performing at a fundraiser for Hills on January 15th in Manhattan.

The event is being billed as "a final evening in support of Hillary Clinton for President Debt Relief."

Ticket prices range from $75 to $1,000.

Once Hills becomes Secretary of State, federal ethics rules will prohibit her from actively soliciting campaign contributions.

[Images via WENN.]

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Get ready for the second coming of Camelot!

Two sources close to NY governor David Paterson tell the Associated Press that the gov will appoint former first daughter Caroline Kennedy to Hillary Clinton's soon-to-be-vacated U.S. Senate seat.

However, publicly, Paterson says the search 'continues'.

The gov has also made it clear that the next junior Senator from New York will have to win re-election on his or her own.

The Senate appointee is being viewed as a 'place holder' and will face an election in two years time.

Paterson said he won't make an appointment announcement until Hillary's Secretary of State appointment has been confirmed.

[Image via WENN.]

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Hillary and Bill Clinton will be seeing 2008 off and ringing in 2009 in Times Square tomorrow.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced this morning, Tuesday, that the Clintons will be launching the ball drop at 11:59pm on New Year's Eve. Bloomberg selected the political pair because "Both together and as individuals, Senator and President Clinton have brought hope and opportunity to New York, to the nation, and to the world."

This year's ball is twice the size as last year's, but it is also 20% more energy efficient!

Weighing nearly 12,000 pounds and measuring 12 feet in diameter, the NYE ball is slathered in 2,668 Waterford Crystals. As the ball drops, the numbers 2009 (Each number is 7 feet tall, 5 feet wide, and weighs 500 pounds) will light up. The ball will commemorate the rest of 2009's holidays as well, including Valentine's and Halloween.

We imagine that Clay Aiken has something similar in his pants.

Happy New Year!

[Images via WENN.]

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Post-baby Amy Poehler re-emerged on Saturday Night Live this weekend to entertain us all with another Hillary Clinton skit.

Check it out above!

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