Gov. Cuomo’s Debate Follies
With New York elections less than a month away, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is on a vigorous campaign to sell his new autobiography. What’s missing from this busy schedule is the political reality of the moment.
Mr. Cuomo is running for re-election on Nov. 4, and, so far, he has agreed to a single one-hour televised debate with three other candidates, including Rob Astorino, the Republican in the race. That isn’t sufficient for voters who need to hear and see the back and forth on issues like ethics in Albany, taxes, women’s rights and the economy.
Mr. Astorino, the Westchester County executive, has said at least five such debates were proposed, mostly by news organizations. However, Mr. Cuomo is willing to participate only in a group debate — which would include Mr. Astorino and candidates from the Green and Libertarian parties — in Buffalo on Oct. 22.
While this is better than nothing, the format means that the four candidates will essentially be participating in a panel discussion that allows less time for each candidate to challenge the others, and Mr. Cuomo knows that.
The Cuomo campaign has said that the governor had agreed to one radio debate with Mr. Astorino. Unfortunately, Mr. Astorino refused the offer because he wanted it to be televised, a demand the Cuomo campaign rejected.
In Connecticut, Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat, and his Republican rival, Tom Foley, are doing it right. They are participating in heated debates on a variety of issues, including taxes, marijuana, casinos and gun control. So far, the two main candidates have participated in four debates, three of them televised. And the campaigns are scheduling others before Election Day.
Mr. Cuomo has raised more than $44 million for his campaign, compared with Mr. Astorino’s $4 million. The governor has a hefty lead in the polls. Still, New Yorkers deserve to see real, unscripted debates between their the two main choices for governor.
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