Andrew Cuomo's rapid fall from grace
Imagine a parallel universe in which President Andrew Cuomo was facing multiple credible sexual harassment allegations. Commander-in-chief Cuomo was a vision dancing in many pundits' heads for years.
The thinking was that the tough-talking New York governor could beat Donald Trump, especially amid Democratic fears that Joe Biden wouldn't get the job done. When Cuomo said he wouldn't run, it was judged a mistake. Commentators boasted of being "Andrew Cuomo Democrats." If Cuomo wasn't going to be president, surely he should at least be in the running for vice president.
Cuomo wasn't just another Michael Avenatti from the hot take reject pile. He was the governor of one of the largest states, son of a fellow-three term governor and liberal icon, a former Cabinet official. He was (undeservedly) hailed for his coronavirus leadership to the degree he was seen as the most glaring contrast to then-President Trump. Biden hailed him as the "gold standard" and he won an Emmy for his televised COVID-19 briefings.
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.
At a minimum, Cuomo seemed poised to one-up his father by becoming a four-term governor. Now his career has fallen apart, disavowed by his own party and having resigned in disgrace despite months of posturing and defiance.
To some degree, Cuomo's reputation was a triumph of style over substance. His reassuring presence at briefings took precedence not only over what he actually did to address the pandemic but also New York's objectively bad outcomes on caseloads and deaths. His abrupt resignation is a reminder that reality cannot be ignored forever. How you govern — and how you treat people — matters.
Will this give anyone pause the next time the commentariat rushes to praise some honey-tongued politician who is verbose during a crisis? Probably not. But Cuomo's rapid fall from grace is a morality tale for our times.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
W. James Antle III is the politics editor of the Washington Examiner, the former editor of The American Conservative, and author of Devouring Freedom: Can Big Government Ever Be Stopped?.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 21, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - devilish decrees, biblical blunders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 carefully selected cartoons about the Trump-Daniels jury selection process
Cartoons Artists take on a stress-free life, rare peers, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Loire Valley Lodges review: sleep, feast and revive in treetop luxury
The Week Recommends Forest hideaway offers chance to relax and reset in Michelin key-winning comfort
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Making sense of FISA's strange bedfellows in Congress
The Explainer How a controversial intelligence gathering law is bringing progressive Democrats and privacy hawk Republicans together
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Young kids simply shouldn't be on social media'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'A golden opportunity to uphold true patriotism'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
New Jersey first lady exits race to replace Menendez
Speed Read Tammy Murphy dropping out paves the way for Rep. Andy Kim to become the state's next senator
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published