BUFFALO — Gov. Paterson and the man widely believed to want his job, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, shared a hug and quick chat outside a hotel ballroom this morning after Cuomo delivered a speech that sounded like the opening salvo in his campaign for governor.
Cuomo’s speech before a gathering of state Democrats in Buffalo speech struck broad general themes generally outside the reach of the attorney general’s office, such as restoring trust in government and closing the budget deficit without raising taxes.
“You go all across this state and you hear from buffalo to the tip of Montauk how people are disillusioned with state government in Albany, and how they’re disappointed with the state government in Albany and state government, any government is only as good as the public trust government at the end of the day is a relationship between the entity and the citizens, and when the citizens don’t and don’t have confidence in the government,” Cuomo told the crowd.
“And right now the power has dissipated people have watched what has gone on in Albany and they don’t like what they see going on in Albany, and we have to restore that trust,” he continued.
Cuomo also opined on the state’s gaping budget gap, which Paterson said could reach as much as $3 billion this year.
“It’s not going to be easy this is one of those gut check periods in life if you will we do have real problems the economic slowdown has effected this state dramatically,” the attorney general said. “We’re not going to be able to balance the budget the old fashioned ways. It would be a terrible mistake to raise taxes at this time. If we raise taxes people will vote with their feet. One point is the tipping point and they will say I’m going to leave this state no matter how beautiful it is.”
Democrats had gathered in Buffalo to appointment Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs as state party leader. Paterson was expected to address the meeting later in the day.
On his way out ballroom, Cuomo encountered Paterson and the pair hugged and briefly exchanged words as photographers snapped photos of the two rivals together. Cuomo before leaving slapped Paterson on the shoulder and told the governor, “Go get ’em.”