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New York's mayor and governor embroiled in big, ugly, public fight New York's mayor and governor embroiled in big, ugly, public fight
(about 1 hour later)
New York City squeezes 8.5 million people into a land mass of 300 square miles, split by rivers and cluttered with airports, railroads, bridges and tunnels. The state of New York runs those bridges and tunnels, maintains those ports, governs the housing, education and daily transportation of those people and sends tax dollars to keep it all humming.New York City squeezes 8.5 million people into a land mass of 300 square miles, split by rivers and cluttered with airports, railroads, bridges and tunnels. The state of New York runs those bridges and tunnels, maintains those ports, governs the housing, education and daily transportation of those people and sends tax dollars to keep it all humming.
Two elected officials are in charge. They are the mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, and the governor of New York state, Andrew Cuomo.Two elected officials are in charge. They are the mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, and the governor of New York state, Andrew Cuomo.
And right now those two men are embroiled in a very big, very public, very ugly fight.And right now those two men are embroiled in a very big, very public, very ugly fight.
Little matter that they are both Democrats. Their shared history as rising stars in the Clinton political machine is now irrelevant. Their declarations of deep friendship mere months ago – those don’t count, either.Little matter that they are both Democrats. Their shared history as rising stars in the Clinton political machine is now irrelevant. Their declarations of deep friendship mere months ago – those don’t count, either.
What does matter now is that the two most powerful politicians in the Empire State have let slip the last veil obscuring a struggle of intense personal acrimony, with the wellbeing of many New Yorkers – people who depend on school reform, rent subsidies, a living wage and a working subway – in the balance.What does matter now is that the two most powerful politicians in the Empire State have let slip the last veil obscuring a struggle of intense personal acrimony, with the wellbeing of many New Yorkers – people who depend on school reform, rent subsidies, a living wage and a working subway – in the balance.
Before the veil finally fell in an astonishingly frank interview on Tuesday by de Blasio, it had worn increasingly thin. The mayor - who assumed office at the beginning of last year - had become the target of attacks in the media delivered by an anonymous, source in the Cuomo administration. The source was so well-placed, and so brazenly opinionated, that many believed it to be Cuomo himself, who has been governor since 2011. Before the veil finally fell in an astonishingly frank interview on Tuesday by De Blasio, it had worn increasingly thin. The mayor – who assumed office at the beginning of last year – had become the target of attacks in the media delivered by an anonymous, source in the Cuomo administration. The source was so well-placed, and so brazenly opinionated, that many believed it to be Cuomo himself, who has been governor since 2011.
“What we’re dealing with is a mayor who is universally acknowledged to be bumbling and incompetent,” the source told the Wall Street Journal a week ago, in a remark whose purported anonymity was met with gleeful derision by political insiders.“What we’re dealing with is a mayor who is universally acknowledged to be bumbling and incompetent,” the source told the Wall Street Journal a week ago, in a remark whose purported anonymity was met with gleeful derision by political insiders.
“New idea for an Albany blind source,” tweeted Anthony Weiner, the husband of top Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin and a former congressman for New York’s ninth district. “An official so senior in the Cuomo administration that he literally can’t be fired.”“New idea for an Albany blind source,” tweeted Anthony Weiner, the husband of top Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin and a former congressman for New York’s ninth district. “An official so senior in the Cuomo administration that he literally can’t be fired.”
For de Blasio, the quote – and the governor’s refusal to disclaim it when reporters asked – was apparently the last straw. On Tuesday morning, before a scheduled week-long vacation, he arranged a sit-down interview with Errol Louis, the top political host in local TV news. Louis did not have to ask many questions. For De Blasio, the quote – and the governor’s refusal to disclaim it when reporters asked – was apparently the last straw. On Tuesday morning, before a scheduled week-long vacation, he arranged a sit-down interview with Errol Louis, the top political host in local TV news. Louis did not have to ask many questions.
“There was some interesting back-and-forth last week, and some unnamed sources well-placed in the Cuomo administration had a few things to say. I’m here in front of you on record saying what I believe,” de Blasio told Louis. “There was some interesting back-and-forth last week, and some unnamed sources well-placed in the Cuomo administration had a few things to say. I’m here in front of you on record saying what I believe,” De Blasio told Louis.
“What I found was, he [Cuomo] engaged in his own sense of strategies, his own political machinations, and what we’ve often seen is, if someone disagrees with him openly, some kind of revenge or vendetta follows.”“What I found was, he [Cuomo] engaged in his own sense of strategies, his own political machinations, and what we’ve often seen is, if someone disagrees with him openly, some kind of revenge or vendetta follows.”
The use of the word “vendetta” was a particularly sharp choice, given the men’s shared Italian heritage. But there was a lot more where that came from. De Blasio accused Cuomo of a “lack of leadership”; of favoring a “transactional model” of politics over the work of the people; and of trashing Democratic priorities in Albany, the state capital, to curry favor with the Republican-led state senate.The use of the word “vendetta” was a particularly sharp choice, given the men’s shared Italian heritage. But there was a lot more where that came from. De Blasio accused Cuomo of a “lack of leadership”; of favoring a “transactional model” of politics over the work of the people; and of trashing Democratic priorities in Albany, the state capital, to curry favor with the Republican-led state senate.
“I started a year-and-a-half ago with a hope of a very strong partnership,” de Blasio told reporters in a news conference after the Louis interview. “I have been disappointed at every turn.” “I started a year and a half ago with a hope of a very strong partnership,” De Blasio told reporters in a news conference after the Louis interview. “I have been disappointed at every turn.”
The excitement the next morning in the tabloid press was unconstrained. “Raging Bill: Shocking attack at ‘vendetta’ gov,” blared the New York Post, with a Photoshopped illustration of two boxers. “Vendetta: Mayor releases rapid-fire tirade vs. ex-pal Andy,” shouted the Daily News, which opted for Photoshopped gangsters.The excitement the next morning in the tabloid press was unconstrained. “Raging Bill: Shocking attack at ‘vendetta’ gov,” blared the New York Post, with a Photoshopped illustration of two boxers. “Vendetta: Mayor releases rapid-fire tirade vs. ex-pal Andy,” shouted the Daily News, which opted for Photoshopped gangsters.
“Why did Bill de Blasio do it - putting aside that venting was emotionally satisfying?” said radio host Mark Green in an interview with the Guardian. Green is the only politician to have run against both men and was the city’s first public advocate, the job de Blasio held before becoming mayor. “Well, he didn’t want to play by Andrew’s rules, which is, the governor can bully the mayor, but the mayor can’t say that. De Blasio made a play hoping that the only way to deal with a bully is to stand up to him, so that in the future Cuomo will think twice before sabotaging the city.” “Why did Bill de Blasio do it – putting aside that venting was emotionally satisfying?” said radio host Mark Green in an interview with the Guardian. Green is the only politician to have run against both men and was the city’s first public advocate, the job De Blasio held before becoming mayor. “Well, he didn’t want to play by Andrew’s rules, which is, the governor can bully the mayor, but the mayor can’t say that. De Blasio made a play hoping that the only way to deal with a bully is to stand up to him, so that in the future Cuomo will think twice before sabotaging the city.”
The nature of the policy conflict between the two men is as complicated as their personal story, and the two are inextricably intertwined. De Blasio once worked for Cuomo, as a New York lieutenant when Cuomo was housing secretary in Bill Clinton’s cabinet. Now de Blasio, as a young mayor who took office on the first day of 2014, is eager to make his own mark as a progressive leader. But to get anything done, he needs the backing of Cuomo, a divisive figure who is not known for giving out free favors. The nature of the policy conflict between the two men is as complicated as their personal story, and the two are inextricably intertwined. De Blasio once worked for Cuomo, as a New York lieutenant when Cuomo was housing secretary in Bill Clinton’s cabinet. Now De Blasio, as a young mayor who took office on the first day of 2014, is eager to make his own mark as a progressive leader. But to get anything done, he needs the backing of Cuomo, a divisive figure who is not known for giving out free favors.
Cuomo, meanwhile, has seen his greatest, if unstated, ambition – to reach the White House – stymied by the presence in national Democratic politics of a superior force: Hillary Clinton.Cuomo, meanwhile, has seen his greatest, if unstated, ambition – to reach the White House – stymied by the presence in national Democratic politics of a superior force: Hillary Clinton.
And lately even his hold on state politics – he is the two-term governor son of a three-term governor – has shown signs of slipping, with sagging poll numbers and a surprisingly robust primary challenge during his reelection bid last year. And lately even his hold on state politics – he is the two-term governor son of a three-term governor – has shown signs of slipping, with sagging poll numbers and a surprisingly robust primary challenge during his re-election bid last year.
Repairing the relationship may yet be possible. On Wednesday night, Cuomo made an effort to do so, telling a reporter with a straight face that his affection for de Blasio was undiminished. “You know what – I’ve know Bill, the mayor, a long time,” Cuomo told NY1 news. “I consider him a friend. He says what he says. I say what I say. And I’ll let him speak for himself.” Repairing the relationship may yet be possible. On Wednesday night, Cuomo made an effort to do so, telling a reporter with a straight face that his affection for De Blasio was undiminished. “You know what – I’ve known Bill, the mayor, a long time,” Cuomo told NY1 news. “I consider him a friend. He says what he says. I say what I say. And I’ll let him speak for himself.”
But one major impediment to a successful working relationship between the two men, close observers say, is that de Blasio is not imagining things when he accuses Cuomo of blocking his agenda. But one major impediment to a successful working relationship between the two men, close observers say, is that De Blasio is not imagining things when he accuses Cuomo of blocking his agenda.
The mayor has floated two major affordable housing initiatives for New York City that the governor has summarily nixed.The mayor has floated two major affordable housing initiatives for New York City that the governor has summarily nixed.
The governor, for his part, expanded a program of charter schools - privately managed schools that operate like but compete with public schools - in the city over the mayor’s passionate objections. And Cuomo has repeatedly failed to consult the mayor on major decisions affecting the city, from the handling of an ebola case to the closing of the subways in advance of a recent winter storm. The governor, for his part, expanded a program of charter schools – privately managed schools that operate like but compete with public schools – in the city over the mayor’s passionate objections. And Cuomo has repeatedly failed to consult the mayor on major decisions affecting the city, from the handling of an Ebola case to the closing of the subways in advance of a recent winter storm.
“To Cuomo, politics is a bloodsport,” Bill Lipton, director of the New York Working Families Party, told the Guardian. “Winning is about pleasing donors and inflicting damage on political rivals. Unless there’s an upside for Cuomo, New York’s working families basically don’t matter.”“To Cuomo, politics is a bloodsport,” Bill Lipton, director of the New York Working Families Party, told the Guardian. “Winning is about pleasing donors and inflicting damage on political rivals. Unless there’s an upside for Cuomo, New York’s working families basically don’t matter.”
The governor’s obstruction of the mayor was seen as culminating with a refusal to pressure the state senate this spring to renew mayoral control of New York City public schools for longer than one year – after the previous mayor, Michael Bloomberg, who served as a Republican and then as an independent, had enjoyed such control for six-year stretches.The governor’s obstruction of the mayor was seen as culminating with a refusal to pressure the state senate this spring to renew mayoral control of New York City public schools for longer than one year – after the previous mayor, Michael Bloomberg, who served as a Republican and then as an independent, had enjoyed such control for six-year stretches.
“That really was a knife in de Blasio’s back,” said Bob Port, a longtime investigative journalist in the state capital and a former professor of journalism at Columbia University. “There isn’t anyone who seriously thinks it makes any sense to return New York City to the earlier system of education. That was the senate majority leader and Andrew Cuomo inserting that, in the final bills, to essentially screw Bill de Blasio. That’s what it was. I don’t know anyone who sees it any other way up here in Albany.” “That really was a knife in De Blasio’s back,” said Bob Port, a longtime investigative journalist in the state capital and a former professor of journalism at Columbia University. “There isn’t anyone who seriously thinks it makes any sense to return New York City to the earlier system of education. That was the senate majority leader and Andrew Cuomo inserting that, in the final bills, to essentially screw Bill de Blasio. That’s what it was. I don’t know anyone who sees it any other way up here in Albany.”
Port ascribed the open warfare between Cuomo and de Blasio as a difference in politics that has been fatally compounded by a difference in personalities. Port ascribed the open warfare between Cuomo and De Blasio as a difference in politics that has been fatally compounded by a difference in personalities.
“What you saw [Tuesday] was extremely rare, and it illustrates a division of personalities, and it’s really a story about Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, and his personal style in politics,” said Port.“What you saw [Tuesday] was extremely rare, and it illustrates a division of personalities, and it’s really a story about Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, and his personal style in politics,” said Port.
“I first met Bill de Blasio 15 years ago, when he was running [Hillary] Clinton’s Senate campaign. Bill is a really honest guy. He’s a really straightforward, honest broker.“I first met Bill de Blasio 15 years ago, when he was running [Hillary] Clinton’s Senate campaign. Bill is a really honest guy. He’s a really straightforward, honest broker.
“Andrew Cuomo is a vindictive, manipulative, secretive politician who pursues his political goals through force, through bullying and intimidation.”“Andrew Cuomo is a vindictive, manipulative, secretive politician who pursues his political goals through force, through bullying and intimidation.”
Green used the same three words, in different order, to describe him.Green used the same three words, in different order, to describe him.
“Cuomo’s strength is that he is so vindictive, secretive and manipulative that it’s hard to predict what he’ll do, which is an asset,” Green said.“Cuomo’s strength is that he is so vindictive, secretive and manipulative that it’s hard to predict what he’ll do, which is an asset,” Green said.
Cuomo’s defenders say that de Blasio can afford to present himself as a white-knight progressive because he is the mayor of a city in which it is impossible to be too far to the left. The same is not true in Albany, where a more moderate political approach – and wilier, perhaps rougher tactics – are required. Cuomo’s defenders say that De Blasio can afford to present himself as a white-knight progressive because he is the mayor of a city in which it is impossible to be too far to the left. The same is not true in Albany, where a more moderate political approach – and wilier, perhaps rougher tactics – are required.
“For those new to the process, it takes coalition building and compromise to get things done in government,” Cuomo spokeswoman Melissa DeRosa said in response to the de Blasio interview. “We wish the mayor well on his vacation.” “For those new to the process, it takes coalition building and compromise to get things done in government,” Cuomo’s spokeswoman, Melissa DeRosa, said in response to the De Blasio interview. “We wish the mayor well on his vacation.”
Things were not always so sour between the two leaders. “I think I have seen every city and state administration going back 40, 50 years and this will be the best relationship between a mayor and governor in modern political history when all is said and done,” the governor predicted earlier this year.Things were not always so sour between the two leaders. “I think I have seen every city and state administration going back 40, 50 years and this will be the best relationship between a mayor and governor in modern political history when all is said and done,” the governor predicted earlier this year.
That didn’t happen.That didn’t happen.
“There’s an exhaustion and sense of betrayal in a superficial, false politics that doesn’t represent the real conflicts,” said Zephyr Teachout, a law professor at Fordham University who made a splash in state politics when she challenged Cuomo for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2014 and captured 34% of the vote. “So I think there’s a genuine sense of relief, above all, in de Blasio acknowledging what all reporters already know, which is that he and the governor have profoundly different approaches.” “There’s an exhaustion and sense of betrayal in a superficial, false politics that doesn’t represent the real conflicts,” said Zephyr Teachout, a law professor at Fordham University who made a splash in state politics when she challenged Cuomo for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2014 and captured 34% of the vote. “So I think there’s a genuine sense of relief, above all, in De Blasio acknowledging what all reporters already know, which is that he and the governor have profoundly different approaches.”
Green suggested that the two leaders could meet for a summit over Chobani, the widely distributed yogurt produced upstate.Green suggested that the two leaders could meet for a summit over Chobani, the widely distributed yogurt produced upstate.
“But it’s hard to reconcile with someone who, you don’t really trust them the next day,” said Green. “We’ll find out.”“But it’s hard to reconcile with someone who, you don’t really trust them the next day,” said Green. “We’ll find out.”