As the New York Daily News put it, today was not a good day for Governor Cuomo.
First the New York State United Teachers decided not to endorse him or anyone else.
Then the Public Employees Federation endorsed Zephyr Teachout.
He still has $35 million in campaign funds, but a steamroller he is not.
He hoped to be re-elected with such impressive numbers that he would be seen as Presidential timbre. He forgot that New York Democrats are not traditionally a pro-business, pro-Wall Street, anti-labor, anti-public school party. He lined up the money brokers and forgot his party’s base. Bad idea.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
It gives me great pleasure in knowing that the teachers of America have destroyed Cuomo, Christie and Jindal’s chances for the presidency!
Linda, let’s hope you are right!
I wish we had a viable choice In Illinois. The state has used public pensions to fund public services and pay for pet projects for years. Raising taxes tends to annoy people, so it easy to ignore obligations and use already committed money to cover costs. Then, when the debt becomes so enormous that it can’t be ignored, you try to change the rules, so you don’t have to honor the contract. Both Governor Quinn and his challenger Bruce Rauner promise to gut the pension program. Rauner doesn’t even have a social agenda, a fact his wife proudly announces. He has an economic and an educational plan, both of which seem to be defined by buzz words and slogans. Quinn is just hoping that enough union members will support him because Rauner will be so much worse. I am so tired of government by greed and power.
Hi all readers:
Don’t we pause a second and think over certain golden rule in certain sector in our society? For example:
1) In the business world, “show me the money”
2) In all professional trades, “show me your experiences”
3) In an academic world, “show me your degree, credential…”
4) In any marriage or partnership, “show me honesty, respect, humor and care”
In conclusion, wouldn’t we need to demand certain characteristic/trait or his/her conviction in social platform from any candidate who wants to run for public administration position?
Most of all, all educators should unite and draft a list of all necessary traits which are very basic to very advance to be qualified as a candidate for leadership position? Additionally, these candidates need to pledge their oath to achieve their plan within a period of time, or if not, their resignation would be offered immediately.
It is my heartfelt suggestion in democratic society which is guided by leader with dignity, intelligence, responsibility and compassion. Back2basic
You gave me something to think about. Good post.
Next he’ll start dividing public sector unions from private sector unions. That’s important for politicians in states like NY because there’s still a private sector union voter group they need.
It’s happened that way in OH, WI and NJ.
Once he’s re-elected, he’ll stop supporting private sector unions too as will Kasich in OH and Walker in WI.
That’s what happened in MI and IN. Public sector unions were attacked first and then they immediately went after private sector unions.
Cuomo is just the east coast version of what we’ve seen play out all over the upper midwest; IN, MI, WI, OH.
This is national. Democrats in the Great Lakes states are raising money off supposedly opposing the Republican anti-labor push here, but it’s just rhetoric and fundraising. They haven’t done anything to stop it, and either has anyone in the Obama Administration.
Good news. We public advocates should go all out for Teachout in the Sept 9 Dem Gov Primary. Cuomo is vulnerable. Remember billionaire Bloomberg stealing the 09 Mayor’s election despite 2 public referenda supporting max of 2 terms for city officials. All major media in NYC endorsed Bloomberg and played down his sabotage of democratic rights. Bloomberg invested $100mil in the campaign, spread PR image that he was ‘unbeatable.’ Final vote was much closer than anyone expected; if challenger Thompson had pushed harder, he may have won an upset. Cuomo is the new billionaire’s candidate posing as a Democrat; he’s vulnerable also.
Good morning,
I just had to read twice your last paragraph…You were describing Cuomo but you were also describing Raimondo and the new speaker of the house who happens to be my sleazy neighbor who stole my cola and pension from us retirees and 26000 others in the pension system. *He hoped to be re-elected with such impressive numbers that he would be seen as Presidential timbre. He forgot that New York Democrats are not traditionally a pro-business, pro-Wall Street, anti-labor, anti-public school party. He lined up the money brokers and forgot his party’s base. Bad idea.* I believe you just validated for me why the RI democrats especially Gina Raimondo the treasurer who had her investment firm Point Judith for 10 years in Manhattan who is aching to be the next RI governor is what I have been saying all along. She is a Dino in order to obtain not only PAC money but the Dem money from across the country…She is a true Republican for she stands for everyone of those topics you mention and so does the Democratic leadership in our House of Reps…They are all pro*-*business, pro-Wall Street, pro hedge fund, anti-labor, and anti- public school *.* Maybe the same logic will work here and she won’t get elected. Her low rate of return, her losing over $800 million last year and her $75 million given to hedge fund investors has made people start to think twice about this opportunist…Just wanted to let you know how your description of Cuomo fits this whole state run by corrupt Democrats!
jo–I thought that Raimondo & that whole hedge fund situation was under investigation? What happened with that? As with our ILL-Annoy gubernatorial election (where we have Rauner of questionable business dealings & ethical lapses in other areas {which the MSM has, of course, suppressed, but can readily be found in blogs}), I would think that she would be disqualified from a gubernatorial run? Also–to clarify–she greatly angered us here–came & spread her economic “genius” to pension-killing, public school & teacher-bashing believers–many legislators picked up on her junk economics &, instead of listening to an Illinois expert who REALLY knows the problems AND provides REAL solutions (it’s a revenue problem, stupid!), they all but knelt in front of the Grand Poohbah, Gina, lavishing praise for all her wisdom.
She belongs in the same category as Cuomo–“under investigation for corruption & should be ineligible to run for public office.”
Can’t wait for Teachout to win!
Proud of my union for taking a stand.. Cuomo was a PEF bully during our contract negotiations. Teachout for Gov!!!