CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., told reporters today that she won't be running for president.
Asked by reporters whether she had any interest in running, she answered with a flat-out "No."
What's more, she said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo -- seen by many as a Democratic front-runner in 2016 -- would make a great president.
Speculation about Gillibrand's possible national ambitions spiked after she decided to speak Thursday before the Democratic delegation from Iowa, which holds the nation's first presidential caucuses every four years.
But in her talk with reporters today, Gillibrand said she was doing that at the invitation of Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and in part to boost the congressional campaign of Iowa Democrat Christie Vilsack.
Still, Gillibrand is maintaining a much higher profile than Cuomo during this week's Democratic National Convention.
Cuomo will be in town for one day and has one public speaking engagement, at the Thursday breakfast for New York delegates.
Gillibrand, in contrast, spoke to the delegation this morning and will appear this afternoon at an Emily's List event "Celebrating Women's Leadership."
In addition, she appeared on PBS Tuesday and will be a guest on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart at 11 p.m. tonight.
Gillibrand's national standing has been rising in part because of her "Off the Sidelines" effort to get women elected to public office.
-- Jerry Zremski
tagged
Andrew Cuomo | Kirsten Gillibrand
