John Cassidy of The New Yorker wrote a fascinating article on the national implications of Zephyr Teachout’s strong performance against Andrew Cuomo. With little money, little name recognition, and no television ads, she managed to capture a third of the Democratic primary vote. Cassidy says:
“The strong showing by Teachout and Wu was a victory for progressive voters who warmed to their message about tackling rising inequality, political corruption, and corporate abuses. It was also a rejection of Cuomo’s economic philosophy, which led him to introduce a series of tax cuts for the rich, at the same time that he cut the state budgets for education and social services. I’d be willing to wager that most Democrats who voted against Cuomo objected more to his policies than to his personality.
“Teachout and Wu’s insurgent campaigns gave voice to this sentiment. Eschewing the etiquette of internal party discourse, Teachout accused Cuomo of governing as a Republican, acting as a shill for the big banks and other campaign contributors, and being part of a “corrupt old boys’ club” in Albany. Making full use of social media and appearances in more traditional media, she demonstrated that, even in this day and age, a candidate with a real message doesn’t necessarily need the support of the party apparatus, or the financial backing of big donors, to have an impact.”
Interestingly, the Teachout-Wu ticket swept many upstate counties. But their candidacy had a larger meaning beyond New York politics, writes Cassidy:
“Teachout and Wu both achieved more than seemed possible a couple of months ago. By thoroughly embarrassing Cuomo, New York Democrats didn’t merely deliver a blow to whatever national aspirations he may have. They signalled to other Democrats, Hillary Clinton included, that the political center of gravity has shifted, and that a significant segment of Democratic voters won’t suffer gladly a return to the timid, pro-corporate policies of the Clinton years, which Cuomo represents.
“That’s why what happened on Tuesday wasn’t just a New York story: it has national implications. The progressive movement that emerged from the financial crisis, giving birth to Occupy Wall Street and the de Blasio campaign, may still be inchoate and splintered. But it can’t be ignored.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
The “message” was the Gov made a huge mistake shutting down the Moreland Commission. Candidates Teachout and Wu were the messengers. They were not viewed as Progressive Saviors of the state as your blog would suggest.
I cannot say enough harsh things against Andrew Cuomo, but I am more apalled at those who stupidly voted for him. Stupid is as stupid does.
Wall Street folks voting for him is something I can understand, and the rest is baffling to me.
He might be a contender for governor; he will never be president.
We will end up with an anti-common core governor (so he says and practices as such for now with his own children) who is Republican and who also loves charters and vouchers and defunding public trusts in the name of saving tax payers money (partial code for “privatization”) . . . . .
I sure hope this is true. I’m tired of expecting a seat at the table only to find out too late that we are on the menu.
Mike Ombry; perfectly stated. I shall borrow this quote from you over and over.
TAGO doesn’t say it well enough.
Today’s Wilmington News Journal in Delaware top editorial “Our View” states:
“Nobody likes a bad report card. Recipients are quick to point out inaccuracies and inconsistencies. Students tend to tell their parents, ‘You don’t understand.’ Members of criticized institutions cry, ‘It’s out of context.’ Nobody likes to be called to account.
The U.S. education system received two ‘report cards’ this week. Neither was good.
The first report card was troubling. It came from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It graded the states.
Delaware did poorly.
Here’s the one that hurts: Delaware got an ‘F’ for ‘postsecondary and workforce readiness.’ That means Delaware is failing in its attempts to get students ready for college and work.
Delaware also received an ‘F’ for ’employing technology to provide quality instruction and personalized learning.’ A critic could claim its instruction that counts.
However, Delaware was marked as a plain ‘C’ in ‘international competitiveness.’ That is not encouraging.
Delaware received only a ‘C+’ for 21st Century Teaching Force. ‘We are average, the US Chamber says. ‘The First State does well identifying effective teachers but poorly (in) removing ineffective ones.’ According to the state’s own teacher evaluation process, that should not be a problem. As a recent report shows, more than 99 percent of Delaware teachers are officially marked either highly effective or plain old effective. We don’t mark teachers ineffective in this state.
Digging deeper into the report, Delaware got a ‘D’ for the state’s academic achievement since 2007. It got a ‘C’ for the same category and time frame for low-income and minority students.
Delaware did get an ‘A’ for fiscal responsibility. ‘Delaware receives very high marks on fiscal responsibility,’ the report said. ‘Eighty-eight percent of the state’s pension is currently funded.’ However, Delaware received a ‘D’ for return on investment’ The report said ‘Student achievement in Delaware is low relative to state spending after controlling for cost of living.’
The second report came from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development. The ratings compared countries. The United States was hit on a variety of measures, including what the judges call ‘educational mobility.’ As The New York Times noted: ‘Barely 30 percent of American adults have achieved a higher level of education than their parents did.’ The U.S. education system lags on its high school numbers, too. The U.S. graduation rate is 78.7 percent. We are ranked 22 out of 29 countries.
Critics of these reports might be right saying they do not tell the full story. The reports only work on data, which is gathered from afar. We also do not know how selective the material was. However, we must face the fact that this is the way a huge national organization and a bigger international one see us. We cannot dismiss what they say.”
My comment: Isn’t it time for the American Teachers Unions to evaluate the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and it’s attempt to do away with unions and increase inequality and privatization across the country through ALEC efforts in every state?
The arrogance of Lord Cuomo was on full display at the Labor Day parade in NYC. His refusal to acknowledge Zephyr’s presence was repugnant. By the way WFP, how are all those (empty/broken) promises working out for you?
Round 2 is coming: All out for Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate for Gov. Another chance to give Cuomo the slap he has so richly earned. Teachout/Wu did a grand job with little money, no organizational support, no mass media exposure, and no union endorsements or Working Families Party endorsement. Just imagine how well they would have done if the retrograde labor unions and the lost WFP had actually gotten behind them. Continue the Teachout Express–go Green in November.
The labor unions forced the WFP’s hand.
The NYSUT refrain:
Ooh, ain’t nothing we wouldn’t do
Ooh, all and everything for you
Ooh, we bow before the great Andrew
Ooh, therefore we’ve sold our soul for you
Ooh, ooh
Is it possible for Zephyr Teachout to run as an independent against Cuomo? It’s obvious that the Democratic Party doesn’t represent the people anymore. Maybe the independent route is the way to go—without a major political party and the billionaires.
That is if we can get the voters to actually pay attention to what’s going on beyond the propaganda and hype paid for by corporations and billionaires.
Independent parties may indeed be the answer. Bernie Sanders is perhaps going to make a run for president. A few people like Teachout, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren are finding huge backing from the American public. There are others in the Green party who have a message that resonates with Americans but have not the backing of enough people with money and/or power to get the publicity necessary to get elected. One might say our system of governance now is broken. Can it be repaired in time is the question?
My concern: is it even possible to undue the gross incompetence, ignorance and stupidity of the George W Bush administration. Looking at the complexities of the problems facing us because of that administration I really doubt it. We have become anathema to much of the world where once we were admired and even loved. Our education problems are a part of that kind of mindset, money supplanting people in importance.
In addition to the message election day in New York delivered, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed voting for Teachout and Wu. It was a vote that mattered. Let’s do that again!
There’s a better NYorker article about Teachout, IMO, here: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/08/25/crooked-dead