ALBANY — Despite publicly proclaiming that debates are “what campaigns should be all about, ” Gov. Cuomo refused Thursday to commit to debates against either his Republican or Democratic opponents.
During a trip to the New York State Fair in Syracuse, Cuomo ducked the question of whether he’d show up at a Democratic primary debate sponsored by New York 1 on Sept. 2 — seven days before the election.
“I’d leave that to the campaigns to work out, whatever they decide,” Cuomo said, suggesting he had no role in the process.
Cuomo campaign spokesman Peter Kauffmann had “no comment” when asked if that meant the governor was boycotting the showdown with Zephyr Teachout.
Under different circumstances — when he wasn’t the incumbent with a huge lead in the polls — was an advocate for debates.
In 2002, during his first bid for governor, Cuomo was happy to debate then-Comptroller Carl McCall before the Democratic primary.
“This is what campaigns should be all about: a good, honest discussion on the issues,” Cuomo said back then.
Cuomo’s campaign has until August 28 to accept the invitation, said NY 1 political director Bob Hardt. If Cuomo declines, then both Teachout and her running mate, Tim Wu, will be given time to appear on Inside City Hall, Hardt said.
A spokesman for GOP gubernatorial candidate, Rob Astorino, said Cuomo’s refusal to debate could mean one of two things.
“Either the governor is acting like a total jerk — and we refuse to believe he would do that — or his criminal defense lawyers have shut the debate option down,” said spokeswoman Jessica Proud in a stinging reference to the investigation of the Cuomo administration’s interference in an anti-corruption panel.