In a stinging snub, the liberal New York Times editorial board on Tuesday refused to endorse Gov. Cuomo’s re-election in next month’s Democratic primary — citing his failure to aggressively crack down on Albany corruption.
The Times also declined to endorse Cuomo’s little-known Democratic rival, Zephyr Teachout.
But the Gray Lady egged on Democrats who want to “send a powerful message” to Cuomo by voting for his foe, a Fordham University law professor making her first run for public office.
“Those who want to register their disappointment with Mr. Cuomo’s record on changing the culture of Albany may well decide that the best way to do that is to vote for Ms. Teachout. Despite our reservations about her, that impulse could send a powerful message to the governor and the many other entrenched incumbents in Albany that a shake-up is overdue,” the Times said.
The editorial faulted Cuomo for “repeatedly” failing to clean up Albany. “Having walked away from his most important goals, he should not be surprised if many Democrats walk away from him on Sept. 9,” the Times wrote.
Cuomo “threw up his hands and claimed there was nothing he could do” when he failed to win Legislative limits on New York’s notoriously high campaign contribution amounts, the paper said, adding, “Where was the energy and determination he showed on marriage rights and guns?
“The worst moment of all came when Mr. Cuomo blocked the progress of the independent commission he set up to investigate corruption after the panel began to look into issues that may have reflected badly on him and his political supporters,” the editorial declared.
Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara is investigating the work of the anti-corruption Moreland Commission panel and the role of Cuomo’s office in steering it away from investigating groups with ties to the governor, which the Times exposed in a lengthy article last month.
Political insiders were stunned by the Times’
rough treatment of the governor, who is leading every public poll by wide margins.
“I thought they would endorse Cuomo with reservations,” said Basil Smikle, a Harlem-based political analyst. “It’s a surprise that they pointedly decided to give no endorsement.”
Former city Public Advocate Mark Green said the Times was giving Cuomo a public spanking with its damning neutrality.