Goodbye Cuomo, Hello Hochul … WHO???

Posted on by under Environmental Issues, Law and justice, Political commentary, Social commentary

Well, folks, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo did what he said he wouldn’t do … he resigned.  I have mixed feelings … certainly it was the right thing to do in light of all the credible accusations of sexual harassment against him, not to mention a looming impeachment.  He was correct when he said that the last thing government needs is to be distracted, and he has, of late, become a distraction not only for the State of New York, but for the nation.  Still, I was a bit sad, for he has done much good during his eleven years in office and was the voice of reason during the height of the pandemic, the antithesis to the former president’s lies.  His father, Mario Cuomo, governed New York for eleven years, from 1983 to 1994, and was a popular governor, as has been Andrew until recent events.

In two weeks, when Cuomo leaves the governor’s mansion for the final time, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will take his place and will become the first woman governor in the history of New York!  So … who is this Kathy Hochul of whom we know almost nothing?

She served briefly, just under two years from June 2011 ‘til January 2013, in the U.S. House of Representatives representing New York’s 26th district.  Then in 2014, Governor Cuomo named her as his choice for Lieutenant Governor and she was sworn in on January 1st, 2015.

Not much is known about her political views, for she has remained in the background through much of her tenure, but what I see, I like.  She supports raising taxes on those earning more than $500,000 per year, she supports the development of alternative energy sources, she supports the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), supports women’s rights, same-sex marriage and LGBTQ rights.

In his resignation speech, Governor Cuomo supported her, saying …

“Kathy Hochul, my lieutenant governor is smart and competent. This transition must be seamless. We have a lot going on. I’m very worried about the Delta variant and so should you be, but she can come up to speed quickly.”

Interestingly, she hasn’t spoken with Governor Cuomo since February, according to one source. Her last public appearance with Cuomo was at a Covid briefing in Buffalo at the end of January.  Erie County Democratic Committee Chairman Jeremy Zellner gave her a positive review …

“Her work speaks for itself. She’s done this stuff outside the bubble of the governor and built her own relationships out there. She did not take this job lightly. She’ll be prepared, she’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen.”

And Assembly member Karen McMahon, a Democrat whose district borders Buffalo, is also in Hochul’s corner …

“She is probably one of the most down-to-earth people that you could ever meet. She’s gone to great heights in government, yet one-to-one, she is so accessible and so warm and just a very generous person … She’s always able to help — particularly women, too.”

She will have some big challenges ahead of her, but I think she is up for the task.

24 thoughts on “Goodbye Cuomo, Hello Hochul … WHO???”

  1. Pingback: Goodbye Cuomo, Hello Hochul … WHO??? — Filosofa’s Word | paulhunterjones

  2. I’ve had several epiphanies since leaving the Republican Party. Here’s one of them: When a Republican “leader” gets caught with his or her hand in the cookie jar–or his or her pants down, or choose your cliche–Republican followers turn on the accusers, the law enforcers, the court system, the media, and anyone else who would dare to question the integrity of their hero. They side with the person over the principle. When a Democrat leader gets caught violating a law or an important social norm, Democrat voters say, essentially, “Sorry, _____. I liked you, but principles come first. Time for you to move on and be replaced by someone who understands the importance of upholding crucial, society-sustaining principles.”

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    • THAT may well be the most astute observation I’ve heard of late, Jerry! You’re right … that is exactly how it happens. Well, one party has integrity, the other doesn’t … I guess it shouldn’t surprise us.

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    • Every single thing I have heard about “the Queen” has been positive … I think she’s going to do good things … IF she’s allowed to. Sadly, this is still a man’s world and I suspect there are those who will do everything in their power to bring her down. Sigh.
      Cwtch

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  4. “first woman governor in the history of New York!”
    Really? Really? In what century does America exist? The man/woman thing ain’t even a topic of discussion in most countries (as long as they’re not muslim).
    In Germany for example we had a woman as federal chancellor for the last 16 million years it seems … and the next one’s gonna be a woman, too, as it looks like. So the president is a man? Presidents are not much more than hood ornaments in Germany, they fulfill purely decorative purposes. 😉

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    • When it comes to women’s rights, we are WAY behind the times! We have yet to have a woman as president, only 26/7% of the seats in Congress are held by women, and women are by and large considered to be somehow … lesser beings than men by many. One religious leader told wife who had filed for divorce, for her husband was cheating on her and was physically abusive, to go home and try to be a better wife! Yes, I look at the UK who have had at least two female Prime Ministers, Germany who has a highly effective female Chancellor … and we are pathetic. Our politicians are currently attempting to take away women’s healthcare rights! We remain in the 19th century on this issue, as well as a few others. Sigh.

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    • Everything I have heard or read about her is extremely positive, and she is stepping into some big shoes at a time of crisis, so she will have ample opportunities to wow them! I think she’s gonna do just fine.

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  8. Jill, Cuomo did do some good things, but his arrogance did him in. I did read Hochul makes a point to visit all 62 New York counties each year. I think that says a lot. Keith

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    • Yes, I cannot condone his abuse of women … too many men like him seem to think that we women were put on this earth only for their pleasure. That said, I do not think this should erase the good things he has done. I said the same about Pete Rose … his record should stand, despite him being convicted for betting on the sport … he was still a great player. Cuomo was still a good governor who did care about the people of his state. I have, thus far, heard only glowing things about Hochul, so I suspect she’s going to make her mark, and rather quickly, unless I miss my guess.

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  10. I’ve worked with her. She’s fabulous. I look forward to great things with her. NOBODY liked Cuomo. Nobody on the left & of course, nobody on the GOP side, although Cuomo was more a Republican than a Democrat (it doesn’t matter about about his stance on guns & abortion). He could have legalized marijuana YEARS ago but NO …. he was a real dick about that. Even Medical Marijuana … you had to be just about DEAD to get a marijuana card … He made it really impossible. I met him more than once … no charm, no charisma … nothing. Just arrogance. He was a real DICK about everything. He pissed off everyone. This is why he’s in the fix he’s in. This is not about sex. Nobody cares about that. When they started in about that … I knew … they were gunning about everything else … & sex was how they were going to get him about that other stuff. Nobody cares about sex about NY. Not even the GOP. (Except a few wicked conservative Christians who should move down south).

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    • Agreed. They should be role models, and they should care more about the people they represent than about their own desires. But alas, they are human. Still, I cannot condone sexual harassment … wrong is wrong is wrong. I’m glad he voluntarily stepped down rather than be impeached, and I still respect much of the good work he has done, I just don’t like him as a person very much. xx

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