Did Cuomo become a liability to fellow Democrats when his AG accidentally admitted to what happened at the nursing homes? Sexual impropriety, real or imagined, is a liability. The #MeToo movement can be used to destroy anybody and it can happen without any proof. It usually doesn’t matter the person’s politics. Politicians of either stripe can be forced from their seats. The press is complicit, it gives them ratings.
More powerful Democrats are piling on
Schumer, Gillibrand, Nadler and Ocasio-Cortez are asking Cuomo to step down. Friday morning Democrats Schumer and Gillibrand jointly released a statement: “Confronting and overcoming the COVID crisis requires sure and steady leadership. We commend the brave actions of the individuals who have come forward with serious allegations of abuse and misconduct. Due to the multiple, credible sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his governing partners and the people of New York. Governor Cuomo should resign.”
Governor Cuomo is urging patience to wait for facts, “I’m not gonna resign. I was not elected by the politicians, I was elected by the people.”
After two accounts of sexual assault, four accounts of harassment, the Attorney General’s investigation finding the Governor’s admin hid nursing home data from the legislature & public, we agree with the 55+ members of the New York State legislature that the Governor must resign. pic.twitter.com/jV5dwtuVPr
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 12, 2021
Democrats can destroy whoever needs it
Nadler also issued a statement, “The repeated accusations against the governor, and the manner in which he has responded to them, have made it impossible for him to continue to govern at this point. But there is a difference between formal investigations that may end in criminal charges and a question of confidence in our political leadership. The question before us is squarely a political judgment. Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of the people of New York. Governor Cuomo must resign.”
Cuomo is a New York Democrat who isn’t part the “in” crowd. “I did not do what has been alleged, period. Let the review proceed. I am not going to resign. Politicians who don’t know a single fact, but yet form a conclusion and an opinion are in my opinion reckless and dangerous. The people of New York should not have confidence in a politician who takes a position without any facts or substance. Part of this is that I’m not part of the political club, and I’m proud of it. I never harassed anyone, I never abused anyone, I never assaulted anyone… and I never would. Do a review, get the facts, give the facts to the people of the state, and then let’s take it from there.”
The Democrats have to cover at least one front
COVID is one of several fronts. Rep. Mondaire Jones added to the cacophony, “The treatment of seniors in our nursing homes throughout the state, all of which are fact based analyses, and not susceptible to to opinions.”
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman both submitted a statement, “Unfortunately, the governor is not only facing the accusation that he engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment and assault. There is also the extensive report from the attorney general that found the Cuomo administration hid data on COVID-19 nursing home deaths from both the public and the state legislature. As members of the New York delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, we believe these women, we believe the reporting, we believe the Attorney General, and we believe the fifty-five members of the New York State legislature, including the State Senate Majority Leader, who have concluded that Governor Cuomo can no longer effectively lead in the face of so many challenges.”
Among the Democrats that agree
Include Reps. Grace Meng, Nydia Velazquez, Senator Jabari Brisport and Mayor Bill de Blasio. An impeachment investigation has been initiated.
A sixth woman has come forward, increasing the pressure. Lindsey Boylan was the first. “I didn’t want this fight. I didn’t choose the fight. It’s the last fight I wanted to have my career and my name be about, but I will take it on because it’s unjust. If I didn’t speak up, how were especially women were are younger than I who don’t have the privilege of a platform that I do ever gonna get out of this vicious cycle, and it’s far too common and it needs to end. We do not have accountability when the governor of this state preys on women, mostly younger than myself, and then lies about it. I’m raising a daughter, and I refuse to see the future look like mine has looked for her.”
Democrats need to stick together
This has gone clear to the White House. Biden is leaving it alone though. Jen Psaki said, “The president believes every woman who comes forward, there have been six now, I believe, who have come forward, deserves to have her voice heard, should be treated with respect and should be able to tell her story.” The progress Biden and Cuomo have had with COVID will continue.
At least 55 Democrat state legislators have announced that Cuomo should resign. It’s for the good of the party to keep consistent messaging.