NYS GOP Leaving Cuomo Out Of Their Attacks
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While many Democrats are being targeted at the Republican National Convention, one who has avoided criticism is New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a result of his willingness to work with Republicans in the State Senate. Nick Reisman filed the following package for NY1.There's a lot of Republican red meat tossed around at the Tampa convention. No one, from President Barack Obama to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is spared.
"We have a U.S. Senator now, Sen. Gillibrand, who one day she's Annie Oakley and the next she's Jane Fonda," said State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.
Popular Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, on the other hand? Well, he could win a popularity contest among New York Republicans. Skelos said he would welcome the governor backing any of the Senate GOP candidates this year.
"Of course I would, if he thinks it's appropriate," Skelos said. "He's a very popular governor, he's earned that popularity and it wouldn't bother me in the least."
Cuomo and the Senate GOP have worked together on cutting the state's budget and championed fiscal reforms, such as creating a new, cheaper pension tier. Meanwhile, he signed off on a redistricting plan drawn by Senate Republicans.
"I think we had, over the first two years of Cuomo's administration, a pretty good relationship, given what you've seen in Washington and other places," said former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. "I obviously would prefer a governor who was more in favor of the private sector, not as dominated by some of the Democratic special interests. But I think, when I compare him to some of the other governors in Connecticut and Maryland who are falling-off-the-charts left-wing, I think this has been a pretty good balance.
Republicans in Tampa said that to keep Cuomo on their side when it comes to budget, it's important to keep the GOP in power in the Senate.
"When he was running for governor, he picked up on the fact that we had huge wins in Westchester and Nassau County because there's a tax revolt going on," said State Republican Chairman Edward Cox. "And so he adjusted his Democratic message, said we can't raise taxes, that we have to cut spending. That's a Republican message and it makes it a lot easier for him to then work with our majority in the Senate."
Senate Republicans have been sure to mention their relationship with Cuomo during the campaign season. The governor himself has not endorsed a Democratic takeover in the Senate.