Empire State Shout-Out

Senator tweets congratulation to next Attorney General nominee — before it's official

Way to blow the surprise party right there.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) went on Twitter Friday afternoon to congratulate Loretta Lynch, the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, on her expected nomination by President Obama to be attorney general.

Of course, the White House itself has not yet actually confirmed that Lynch will be picked — thus, Gillibrand is publicly getting out ahead of the official message. But hey, at least Lynch has already got one enthusiastic supporter for her Senate confirmation. --Eric Kleefeld