New York Governor David Paterson has reportedly chosen Representative Kirsten Gillibrand to serve in the United States Senate seat vacated by now-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Gillibrand is a surprise, given her relative youth (just 42) and the fact that she's only been in Congress for two years. You can bet your bottom dollar that there are a handful of more senior New York Democrats who are cursing their luck today.

On our Congressional Rating, Gillibrand scored a whopping 7%, for a grade of F, in her first year of 2007. The 2008 ratings should be out next month.