New Yorkers and the media, on the edge of their seats and waiting with bated breath to discover just who will be the Democrats' nominee for Governor, have finally had their curiosity quenched. Much to everyone's surprise, Andrew Cuomo has emerged as the Democrats' nominee, just days ahead of the Democrats' convention. New Yorkers must be grateful Prince Andrew has finally decided to let his intentions be known.
Clearly, the Democrats "royal line of succession" long ago determined the coronation of Prince Andrew would take place in Westchester this week. Cuomo, much like the Monarch butterfly, is being forced to emerge from his cocoon of the Attorney General's office. Cuomo has told New Yorkers very little about how he intends to govern or the policies upon which he plans to base his campaign. Similarly, the elusive and clandestine Cuomo has given New Yorkers little information about how he will deal with the most pressing fiscal issues confronting state government: the budget deficit, and Medicaid and pension costs, which affect millions, are breaking the backs of taxpayers.
While Cuomo had promised to play the part of "Sheriff of Albany," his strategy has been to do the bare minimum and to avoid upsetting the leaders of his party. While Cuomo calls the culture of corruption that has consumed Albany a "bi-partisan" phenomenon, that claim couldn't be farther from the truth.
During Cuomo's time as Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer, Alan Hevesi, David Paterson, Pedro Espada, Hiram Monserrate, Alan Hevesi, Malcom Smith and John Sampson - all high ranking Democratic officials and Cuomo's political associates, have been accused of corruption or obstruction of justice, several having been forced to resign in disgrace. Cuomo's close association with these fellow democrats has precluded Cuomo, more often than not, from charging and rigorously investigating these corrupt officials, whose actions appear to warrant a far more aggressive approach. If Andrew Cuomo wanted truly to lead and turn this state's government around, he could have started by rooting out corruption at the top of his own party.
We look forward to more evasion tactics, more platitudes, and more thin rhetoric in the months ahead from the new head of New York's corrupt Democratic establishment