Gov. Andrew Cuomo and The Moreland Mess

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and The Moreland Mess

"Mess" doesn't do this one justice. Andrew Cuomo launched a Moreland Commission on Public Corruption, ostensibly to investigate the culture of corruption that has made New York politics the laughing stock of the Nation. But Andrew Cuomo tightly controlled the Commission from behind the scenes, and quashed subpoenas of his own campaign donors when the investigation got to close to him.  Suddenly, Cuomo shut down the Commission before they could complete their work. The story made national headlines this Summer: only in New York could a Governor corrupt his own corruption commission. The New York Times called it a gift to cynics, and the Daily News and New York Post cheered US Attorney Preet Bharara's announcement that his office would pick up the investigations where the Moreland Commission left off.  Nobody was persuaded by the excuse that Andrew Cuomo offered to the Crain's editorial board: "It's my commission. My subpoena power, my Moreland Commission. I can appoint it, I can disband it. I appoint you, I can un-appoint you tomorrow.   "So, interference? It's my commission. I can't 'interfere' with it, because it is mine. It is controlled by me."   The Times called that one "Andrew Cuomo's tantrum." Sounds right to us.    Mr. Bharara confirmed recently that his office is still running multiple investigations in Albany.  That leaves Andrew Cuomo as the only candidate for Governor who has retained a criminal defense team, and there's a very real possibility that Cuomo could be indicted by federal prosecutors if he's reelected.  The more the press digs, the worse things get.  Just last week, the New York Times reported that Cuomo maintained tight control over a post-Hurricane Sandy Moreland Commission.  According to the Times, their investigation "reveals some of the same hallmarks: interference, efforts to shield his administration's role and a sense that the governor had a clear idea at the outset of what the commission should conclude." Yes, even a commission to investigate the government's response to a devastating hurricane wasn't free from Andrew Cuomo's political manipulation. This has been the hallmark of the last four years: on issue after issue, Andrew Cuomo articulates the problem, promises change, then merely scratches at the surface while declaring victory in a series of press releases.  The Status Cuomo reigns. After four years, Andrew Cuomo's New York is still the most taxed, most regulated, least free, least business-friendly state in America, just as it was when Andrew Cuomo took office.  It's time for new leadership. Rob Astorino, Chris Moss, Bob Antonacci and John Cahill comprise one of the best teams of candidates we've had in years.  Election Day is tomorrow, and there's only one thing left to do: get out and vote.  Check our Election Center if you need to find your polling place.