Friday, February 26, 2010
Atty Genl Andrew Cuomo Has Inside Track to NY Governorship After Gov Patterson Exits
New York Gov.
David Paterson's decision Friday to drop his bid for election clears a
major obstacle to state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's longtime dream
of claiming the seat once held by his father, Mario Cuomo.
Rep. Rick Lazio, the only announced
Republican candidate for governor, by 64% to 27% among registered voters
statewide. The 51-year-old Mr. Lazio, who ran unsuccessfully against Hillary
Clinton for U.S. Senate in 2000.
Exit Leaves Cuomo in the Driver's Seat
Wall Street Journal; By Michael Howard Saul; February 27, 2010
New York Gov. David Paterson's decision Friday to drop his bid for election clears a major obstacle to state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's longtime dream of claiming the seat once held by his father, Mario Cuomo.
"Clearly, it puts him as the early odds-on favorite for a multitude of reasons?money, name recognition, popular standing, momentum," said Lee M. Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion.
Mr. Cuomo, 52 years old, was unsuccessful when he sought the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2002. That candidacy kindled resentment among some black leaders because he was challenging H. Carl McCall, a former state comptroller who was seeking to become New York's first African-American governor.
Mr. Cuomo dropped out of that divisive race shortly before the primary, and has spent the better part of the past decade deftly rebuilding his political career.
Mr. Paterson was New York's lieutenant governor and succeeded former Gov. Eliot Spitzer when he resigned in March 2008 following a scandal involving a prostitute. Mr. Paterson's announcement that he would end his campaign for a full term clears the way for Mr. Cuomo to make his long-awaited entrance into the race?and, more notably, extinguishes any awkwardness associated with running against the incumbent, the state's first black governor.
Mr. Cuomo, in a statement issued Friday, said, "I am sure this is a difficult choice and a sad day for the governor and his family. It is in the best interests of all New Yorkers that the state government function through this difficult time and address the pressing budgetary problems we face."
He added that he would announce his plans at "the appropriate time."
A Marist poll earlier this month showed Mr. Cuomo leading former Rep. Rick Lazio, the only announced Republican candidate for governor, by 64% to 27% among registered voters statewide. The 51-year-old Mr. Lazio, who ran unsuccessfully against Hillary Clinton for U.S. Senate in 2000, said it is time for Mr. Cuomo to "come out from the shadows" and tell the voters where he stands on major issues.
Douglas Muzzio, a professor of public affairs at Baruch College, said Mr. Lazio faces long odds.
"You've got Muhammad Ali versus a club fighter," Mr. Muzzio said, referring to the Cuomo-Lazio matchup. "Andrew's going to run a tough, vigorous campaign."
The chairman of the New York Republican State Committee, Edward F. Cox, said he is confident his party will regain the governor's mansion this year. He accused Mr. Cuomo of becoming part of the "climate of corruption" in Albany because he accepted Mr. Paterson's request this week to investigate allegations that Mr. Paterson abused his office.
Even with Mr. Paterson's decision to drop out of the race, Mr. Cox said, it is a conflict of interest for Mr. Cuomo to probe Mr. Paterson's behavior. A spokeswoman for Mr. Cuomo didn't return a call for comment.
Another potential candidate, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, 50, a Democrat, said he will continue spending the next month exploring a possible bid. Mr. Levy, who is toying with running as a Republican if that line opened up, is little known outside Long Island.
Carl Paladino, 63, a businessman from Buffalo, said he is "very, very seriously" considering running for the Republican nomination.
And not to be forgotten is Kristin Davis, who said she lined up prostitutes for Mr. Spitzer when he was attorney general and governor. She said Friday that she will announce her gubernatorial campaign Monday.
Write to Michael Howard Saul at Michael.Saul@wsj.com
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748
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