With polling continuing to show low public support for New York Gov. David A. Paterson, 2010 political watchers are shifting their attention to his fellow Democrat, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
In another sign that Cuomo is the consensus front-runner for the governor's race, GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rick Lazio went after the popular attorney general Monday, putting out a press release condemning Cuomo's decision not to continue an investigation into the hiring of state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr.'s son, Pedro G. Espada, for a job with the state Senate Democrats.
The attorney general's office launched an investigation into whether the hiring broke state law, which, as the New York Times reported, "prohibits state officials, including lawmakers, from influencing any decision to hire, promote, discipline, or fire a relative for any paid job in state government." But Cuomo dropped the probe after Pedro G. Espada resigned last week.
Cuomo was credited for raising the issue, but Lazio said it wasn't enough. "Everyone knows that state government is dysfunctional, it's not working, and we need sweeping change and reform," his statement read. "The attorney general now risks being seen by the general public as part of the problem in Albany, and not part of the solution."
Lazio would be a second-choice candidate for the state GOP, which is hoping to convince former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to run for the post. The former four-term congressman has not publicly launched a campaign yet, but has a Web site up and running and is been trying to use the turmoil in state government to rally opposition to New York's Democratic establishment, and by extension, support for his GOP bid.
While Paterson provides an appealing match-up for Republicans, Cuomo would be tough to beat in the strongly Democratic state. The latest Quinnipiac University poll, released Sunday, shows Cuomo with a comfortable lead over even Giuliani, 48 percent to 39 percent, in a hypothetical match-up.
CQ Politics rates the general election contest Leans Democratic.
To follow the 2009 and 2010 governors' races, check out CQ Politics' election map.
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Comments
Lazio's statement about sweeping reform is too general and windy to be taken seriously.
If the NYS GOP were interested in winning elections or governing, their front runner would be John Faso rather than flamboyant blowhards like Lazio and Giuliani.
Posted by: Robert Chapman
| August 29, 2009 7:07 PM
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