Gov. Andrew Cuomo is a dead man, politically speaking.
Everyone has deserted him. There’s just no way for him to hang on, no matter how deluded he is in thinking he can, following the release of Attorney General Tish James’ devastating report on his sexual misconduct.
Cuomo should spare the state the trouble of impeachment proceedings and leave office now, so the state can focus on the important business of recovery.
The list of those calling on him to resign is virtually endless: Gov. Cuomo “has lost his ability to govern,” declares the man he himself picked to head the state Democratic Party, Jay Jacobs, for starters. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx), who oversees impeachment proceedings, says he can “no longer remain in office.”
President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the entire state congressional delegation, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Rodneyse Bichotte, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. — they’re all calling for Cuomo’s resignation.
If he doesn’t step down, it’s “the duty” of the Assembly to “move forward with impeachment proceedings,” Democratic mayoral nominee Eric Adams insists. “F—king resign,” Public Advocate Jumaane Williams fumed.
How will he convince lawmakers to embrace his legislative agenda? How will he get the cash for a fourth-term run when his union backers have abandoned him?
“The unions cannot continue to support a workplace violator,” said Transportation Workers’ Union chief John Samuelsen. Heads of the AFL-CIO, DC27, New York State United Teachers, property-service-worker union 32BJ and the Hotel Trades Council all denounced the governor. NYSUT boss Andy Pallotta calls Cuomo’s conduct “repugnant and indefensible,” as was his response to the report.
Indeed: Cuomo used a family member who was sexually harassed to claim he was only trying to help a former staffer. He asserts all 11 women in James’ report are biased.
New Yorkers aren’t buying it, with 59 percent saying he should quit, only hours after James’ report was released. A majority of Assembly members support impeachment proceedings, according to an Associated Press count.
Meanhwhile, four district attorneys — in Manhattan, Albany, Westchester and Nassau County — are looking into possible criminal charges. How can he govern while fighting that off?
And remember: He’s still under investigation for covering up COVID nursing-home deaths and using state resources to write his $5 million book touting his “leadership.”
Sorry, Gov. You are a rat caught in a trap. There’s just no way out. You brought this on yourself. Now it’s time to step down.
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