Metroland, the Capital Region's weekly newspaper endorsed Kirsten for Congress:

Kirsten Gillibrand has defied our expectations: We are not used to candidates with the kind of thoughtful, precise positions on important issues like the war in Iraq and the health-care crisis that Gillibrand has. She is a candidate any district would be lucky to have, but thanks to the unethical behavior, pathetic record and dim light of incumbent John Sweeney, the 20th district may need her just a little more than any other. Sweeney, who led the pack of thugs who halted a legal recount in Florida during the 2000 presidential election, has never had to fight to win or keep this seat-until now. And many consituents, this time around, seem generally fed up by his support of Bush administration policies (in spite of recent attempts to distance himself) and, especially, his questionable ethics. From his expenses-paid trip to the Marianas Islands and association with Jack Abramoff to his well-documented drinking, driving and domestic escapades-which might be more forgivable if he admitted to them and didn't blame them on a conspiracy of his political opponents-Sweeney has been plagued relentlessly by problems of his own making. Even his skill at bringing home the pork may not save him this time. We heartily endorse Kirsten Gillibrand because she is a candidate of intelligence and ideas who understands the consequences of both her own and of her country's actions.