In promoting her new book, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has come forward with several stories of being called "chubby," "fat," and "porky" by her male colleagues in Congress. 
 
 In one incident from her early days in the Senate, Gillibrand describes an older senator who approached her from behind and squeezed her waist. "Don’t lose too much weight now," she recalls him saying. "I like my girls chubby.” 
 
 It's one of many episodes she recounted in an interview with People magazine that is not yet online but which was reported by the New York Post on Wednesday. Most of the remarks were directed toward Gillibrand during her self-described struggle with her weight during and after her second pregnancy. 
 
 In the House gym, she recalled, another of her male colleagues advised her to work out to avoid getting "porky." 
 
 "Thanks, a—hole,” she quipped in her book. 
 
 In yet another instance, a Southern congressman held her arm as they walked down the chamber aisle, telling her, “[y]ou know, Kirsten, you’re even pretty when you’re fat." 
 
 Gillibrand also recounted the time a labor leader advised her to improve her looks if she wanted to win a special election for her Senate seat in 2010. 
 
 “When I first met you in 2006 you were beautiful, a breath of fresh air. To win, you need to be beautiful again," he said. 
 
 Last year in an exchange reported in the New Yorker, Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) told Gillibrand: “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, Kirsten, but you’re what my family would call a honey badger.” The remark, according to the New Yorker, was meant to compliment Gillibrand as ambitious and predatory. 
 
 Gillibrand served from 2007-09 in the House before she was appointed to the Senate in 2009, filling the seat vacated by Hillary Clinton when she became secretary of state. Gillibrand won the above special election for the Senate seat in 2010 and was elected to a full term in 2012. 
 
 Her book, "Off The Sidelines," is scheduled to be released Sept. 9. Below is a promo video for the book: ||||| “Kirsten Gillibrand has written a handbook for the next generation of women to redefine their role in our world. With Off the Sidelines, Gillibrand shows that it’s not about getting to the top, or choosing between career and family—it’s simply about getting involved. In politics, in our communities, or simply mentoring somebody: When women work together, we all win.”—Arianna Huffington, editor in chief of The Huffington Post and author of Thrive 
 
 
 
 “There are moments of immensely appealing self-disclosure that seldom appear in other books of this genre. . . . This isn’t your mother’s political memoir.”—The New York Times Book Review 
 
 
 
 “Reading Kirsten Gillibrand’s book makes me so proud—as a woman, as an American, and as her friend. She is a beautiful example of what we can become when we are true to ourselves and brave enough to let our voices be heard. This book is intimately honest and deeply insightful. It should be on every girl’s and every woman’s reading list, and every boy’s and man’s, too.”—Connie Britton 
 
 
 
 “What do you get when a woman is the third generation of fierce, kindhearted, and brilliant political activists? You get Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who writes irresistibly, helps in real-life terms, and uses her clout to get more women elected. Off the Sidelines is one of the most helpful, readable, down-to-earth, and truly democratic books ever to come out of the halls of power.”—Gloria Steinem 
 
 
 
 “Since joining the Senate in 2009, Kirsten Gillibrand has been a fearless advocate for women. . . . Now, she’s turning her attention to getting women involved—a powerful message delivered in her new memoir.”—Marie Claire 
 
 
 
 “With her new memoir, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand seems to be taking a page out of the presidential playbook. . . . In style, however, Gillibrand’s book differs significantly from previous political memoirs. Hers is a quick read, chatty, candid.”—The Washington Post 
 
 
 
 “In her poignant new memoir, Off the Sidelines, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand gives a voice to our nation’s unsung heroes—and shares how any one of us can help change our world.”—Good Housekeeping 
 
 
 
 “Candid and inspiring.”—Dr. Oz The Good Life 
 
 
 
 “Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, in offering this compellingly personal account of her journey to the U.S. Senate, fulfills a vital public purpose. Writing in a voice that is honest, funny, blunt, and strong, she urges women to get off the sidelines and start changing the world.”—Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and founder of LeanIn.Org 
 
 
 
 “My good friend Kirsten Gillibrand has written a book that is just like her: bold, impactful, and inspiring. In these pages, women will learn what is possible when we find the courage and ambition to lead.”—Gabrielle Giffords 
 
 
 
 “Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s story will prove instructive to anyone who wishes to find her true north, understand power dynamics, and confront entrenched interests when justice is not served. Off the Sidelines is required reading for all women who want to change the world and recognize that to do so they must better understand political realities.”—Piper Kerman, author of Orange Is the New Black 
 
 
 
 “Kirsten Gillibrand is one of the most forward-focused leaders we have working on our behalf, and Off the Sidelines is an excellent example of inspiring women to make their voices heard.”—Billie Jean King 
 
 
 
 “A must-read for every woman looking to effect change. Gillibrand’s secrets to speaking up—whether you’re striving for political office, aiming for the boardroom, or simply trying to improve your kid’s school—are powerful lessons for women looking to make a difference. After all, if you’ve worked hard enough to gain a seat at the table but you say nothing, that’s a lost opportunity.”—Ursula Burns, chairman and CEO, Xerox Corporation 
 
 
 
 “Senator Gillibrand is a vibrant role model for her generation and makes a strong and very personal case for why we should all care about our government. Her trademark honesty and humor speak loudly to why we need women in the game.”—Geraldine Laybourne, founder, Oxygen Media and Kandu ||||| 
 
 WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 18: Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords throws out the first pitch at the Congressional Softball game with the help of Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC Wednesday evening June 18, 2014. (Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post) 
 
 This post has been updated. 
 
 New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) has a new book coming out, "Off the Sidelines," and has been making the media rounds to promote it. The New York Post highlighted parts of the book today, in an article titled, "Gillibrand: Male colleagues called me ‘porky’ after baby." 
 
 As awful as that headline is, things get worse in the book, according to the story. One quote in particular stands out. Gillibrand reveals that one male Senator, after she lost about 50 pounds, came up behind her and gave her waist a squeeze. “Don’t lose too much weight now," he told her. "I like my girls chubby.” She says that he was one of her favorite senators(!). 
 
 As Gillibrand's title infers, the book goes into detail about the things that women in politics still have to deal with that their male counterparts, well, don't. 
 
 Yes, there are more women in Congress than ever before, but there are still far fewer women than men serving. There are 20 women in the Senate, and 79 women in the House. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, women make up only 24.2 percent of all state legislators. A 2013 article from the Texas Observer highlights how this is a problem for women legislators across the country. The reporter tells of the stories women politicians told her. 
 
 Some told of senators ogling women on the Senate floor or watching porn on iPads and on state-owned computers, of legislators hitting on female staffers or using them to help them meet women, and of hundreds of little comments in public and private that women had to brush off to go about their day. Some said they often felt marginalized and not listened to—that the sexism in the Legislature made their jobs harder and, at times, produced public policy hostile to women. Yet, despite their strong feelings, women in the Capitol rarely talk about, except in the most private discussions, the misogyny they see all the time. It’s just the way the Legislature has always been. 
 
 Gillibrand surely isn't alone in having to deal with such comments with her male colleagues at the Capitol, although some of her encounters are jaw-droppingly bad/offensive. When she was still in the House, a representative told her, “You know, Kirsten, you’re even pretty when you’re fat." 
 
 The New York Post has a few more examples, and Gillibrand's book -- which comes out on September 9 -- is probably teeming with them. 
 
 Gillibrand often talks about women in politics -- and the problems she has with how they are treated and portrayed. For example, she has a big problem with "House of Cards" for this reason. She told CNN, "My colleagues are much nicer. Most of the women in the series are portrayed as quite cold and calculating but my experience is I adore the female colleagues I have in the Senate." She went on the Daily Show in 2012 to talk about why more women need to be elected. 
 
 In case you were wondering, you can add Gillibrand as a "no" to the 2016 files; she's said during interviews she has no interest in entering the presidential race. However, Gillibrand has said repeatedly that Hillary Clinton should run. ||||| A detailed report commissioned by two major Republican groups — including one backed by Karl Rove — paints a dismal picture for Republicans, concluding female voters view the party as “intolerant,” “lacking in compassion” and “stuck in the past.” 
 
 Women are “barely receptive” to Republicans’ policies, and the party does “especially poorly” with women in the Northeast and Midwest, according to an internal Crossroads GPS and American Action Network report obtained by POLITICO. It was presented to a small number of senior aides this month on Capitol Hill, according to multiple sources. 
 
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 Republicans swore they’d turn around the party’s performance with women after Mitt Romney’s loss in 2012. And while they are in good shape in 2014, poised to pick up seats in the House and possibly take the majority in the Senate, the new report shows they have not improved their standing with women — which could exacerbate their problems if Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee in 2016. 
 
 (Also on POLITICO: Dems paint GOP as shutdown party) 
 
 The report — “Republicans and Women Voters: Huge Challenges, Real Opportunities” — was the product of eight focus groups across the country and a poll of 800 registered female voters this summer. The large-scale project was a major undertaking for the GOP groups. 
 
 “The gender gap is hardly a new phenomenon, but nevertheless, it’s important for conservatives to identify what policies best engage women, and our project found multiple opportunities,” said Dan Conston, a spokesman for the American Action Network. “It’s no surprise that conservatives have more work to do with women.” 
 
 Republicans in Washington say they recognize the problem. Republicans who have seen or been briefed on the polling were not surprised about the outcome. The poll was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Axis Research. 
 
 (Also on POLITICO: Jindal sues over Common Core) 
 
 Paul Lindsey, the spokesman for Rove-backed Crossroads GPS, said, “There are a number of House policymakers and staff who have been willing to focus on issues important to women, and we think it’s important that they are aware of the policy solutions that are available to help address these concerns.” 
 
 The solutions offered include neutralizing Democratic attacks that the GOP doesn’t support “fairness” for women; “deal honestly with any disagreement on abortion, then move to other issues”; and “pursue policy innovations that inspire women voters to give the GOP a ‘fresh look.’” 
 
 The report is blunt about the party’s problems. It says 49 percent of women view Republicans unfavorably, while 39 percent view Democrats unfavorably. 
 
 (Also on POLITICO: Boehner, donors huddle in Wyoming) 
 
 It also found that Republicans “fail to speak to women in the different circumstances in which they live” — as breadwinners, for example. “This lack of understanding and acknowledgment closes many minds to Republican policy solutions,” the report says. The groups urge Republicans to embrace policies that “are not easily framed as driven by a desire to aid employers or ‘the rich.’” 
 
 Two policies former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor promoted as a way to make inroads with middle-class women and families — charter schools and flexible work schedules — were actually the least popular policies among female voters. 
 
 Republicans have long had a troubled relationship with female voters, but this report, which comes out just months before Election Day, is the most recent detailed illustration of the problem. Republicans have several initiatives to attract female candidates and voters. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, the No. 4 House Republican, for example, is spearheading her chamber’s effort. The Republican National Committee is trying to engage women in 25 “targeted counties for the midterm election,” a spokesman said. ||||| Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: 'I Will Help Hillary Get Elected' 
 
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 Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand isn't positive Hillary Clinton will run for president, but the woman who took Clinton's former New York Senate seat would like to think so."In my mind, she's definitely running," Gillibrand tells PEOPLE. "Anytime I've ever talked to her, I've offered every bit of help in the world and she's never said no."For her part, Gillibrand, whose candid new book Off the Sidelines hits shelves Sept 9., doesn't have her eye on the presidency quite yet. She's perfectly content where she is at the moment."I have young kids," says the mom of two, when asked if she'd consider a bid for the White House. "I really like where I am.""I don't know that I aspire to it," she adds. "It's a very different job. I feel like where I am, I can accomplish a lot."It's her current job with the United States Senate that's provided the fodder for her insightful – and sometimes groan-worthy – memoir.In Off the Sidelines, Gillibrand, 47, shares a sobering incident in the congressional gym, where an older, male colleague told her, "Good thing you're working out, because you wouldn't want to get porky!" On another occasion, she writes, after she dropped 50 lbs. one of her fellow Senate members approached her, squeezed her stomach, and said, "Don't lose too much weight now. I like my girls chubby!"Gillibrand isn't especially offended by her coworkers' remarks. "It was all statements that were being made by men who were well into their 60s, 70s or 80s," she says. "They had no clue that those are inappropriate things to say to a pregnant woman or a woman who just had a baby or to women in general."For more on Sen. Gillibrand, including an excerpt from her new book Off the Sidelines, pick up a copy of this week's issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday
– New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has a new book, Off the Sidelines, out next month, and it takes a frank look at the reality of being a woman on Capitol Hill. Among the more surprising and perhaps not-so-surprising tidbits: Gillibrand reveals she had lost 50 pounds after giving birth when a male senator squeezed her waist from behind. "Don't lose too much weight now," he said. "I like my girls chubby." The Washington Post notes that Gillibrand says "he was one of her favorite senators(!)." People picks up another quote from a male colleague, handed out while Gillibrand was exercising at the congressional gym: "Good thing you're working out, because you wouldn't want to get porky!" Talking Points Memo notes Gillibrand's acerbic response in the book: "Thanks, a--hole!" A Southern congressman even told her once, "You know, Kirsten, you’re even pretty when you're fat," Gillibrand wrote, per the New York Post. "I believed his intentions were sweet, even if he was being an idiot." Perhaps all the sexist idiocy helped her bond with Hillary Clinton. "I will help Hillary get elected," she told People while promoting the book. "In my mind, she's definitely running" in 2016, Gillibrand adds. "Anytime I've ever talked to her, I've offered every bit of help in the world and she's never said no." In other way-out-of-date-politician news: A report from two Republican groups finds 49% of female voters view the GOP "unfavorably," including as "intolerant," "lacking in compassion," and "stuck in the past." That isn't likely to help the party if Clinton does indeed decide to run, Politico notes.