Paterson, Cuomo display contrasting styles, messages
Photo credit: Getty Images | NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (September 21, 2009)
Other Columnists
Gov. David A. Paterson and state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo last week displayed a contrast in style and message that you are likely to hear more about.
Addressing the state Democratic committee, Paterson said: "We have put the people first in our endeavors as Democrats, and we will continue to put the people first as we move forward - even if the road ahead is full of obstacles." Pointedly, he'd noted earlier that a recent poll showed nearly as many people blame new President Barack Obama, unfairly, for the recession as fault eight-year ex-President George W. Bush.
Cuomo said: "We have to restore trust in Albany, and that's not going to be easy. . . . It would be a terrible mistake to raise taxes at this time. This is one of those gut-check periods in life, if you will." He urged future budgets be balanced "in a totally different way" such as slicing layers of government.
FIX NOW, VOTE LATER:
Part of the backroom deal that paved the way for Mayor Michael Bloomberg seeking a third term will come due shortly after the Nov. 3 election - if Bloomberg beats challenger William Thompson. A year ago, Bloomberg agreed to appoint "New Yorkers for Term Limits" funder and fellow billionaire Ronald Lauder to a charter commission - which could result in a third referendum on term limits next year.
NASSAU NEIGHBOR:
Years ago the executive secretary of the Queens Democratic Party, Michael Reich, drew tart publicity over a Lawrence house he bought with his wife for $1.4 million in 1986. But last week Reich noted his pride, "as someone who has been known to wake up in Nassau County," in presiding over the state committee vote that made county chair Jay Jacobs of Laurel Hollow the state chairman.
ON THE MARGINS:
Funny to hear Senate President Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) jovially challenge Minority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) to box for charity after Smith drew criticism from Democrats as a "lightweight" during Skelos' famous June coup. . . . With a conference that has nearly three quarters of the Assembly, does Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) gain from member Fred Thiele (I-Sag Harbor) leaving the GOP?
MANIFEST DESTINY?
A driver spotted a lawn sign for Nassau County executive candidate Edward Mangano in Dix Hills, Suffolk. . . . Separately, Thomas Suozzi signs were reportedly vandalized in Hempstead.
