Biden: Outside of his personal behavior, Cuomo has done 'a hell of a job'

Outside of the New York governor's "personal behavior," President Biden said he believes Andrew Cuomo (D) has excelled as a leader, which is why "it's so sad" he's resigning.
When asked how he would assess Cuomo's 10.5 years in office, excluding the sexual harassment allegations that ultimately led to his resignation, Biden replied that the governor has done "a hell of a job" on everything from "access to voting, to infrastructure, a whole range of things. That's why it's so sad." Besides the harassment scandal, Cuomo has come under fire for reportedly under-counting nursing home COVID deaths and attempting to influence a New York State political corruption probe.
CNN's Kaitlan Collins, however, took issue with the idea that the governor's accomplishments could be separated from his controversial behavior, and challenged Biden's response. "Can you really say that [Cuomo] has done 'a hell of a job' if he's accused of sexually harassing women on the job?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Biden pushed back, insisting that "women should be believed" and that he was asked a specific question about Cuomo's leadership separate from the governor's personal conduct.
Cuomo stepped down from his post on Tuesday following a bombshell investigation from the state attorney general's office that found he had sexually harassed 11 women. "Given the circumstances," he said during his resignation, "the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
What are the Trump Accounts for kids and how do they work?
The Explainer Parents will soon be able to open tax-advantaged investment accounts on their child's behalf
-
'This comes with policy implications'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Music Reviews: Justin Bieber, Wet Leg, and Clipse
Feature "Swag," "Moisturizer," and "Let God Sort Em Out"
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports