On September 19, 1796, President George Washington warned the country of political parties in his Farewell Address. He reasoned that political parties promote sectionalism, resulting in elected officials focusing more on each other, rather than fixing the issues of the country. Well, if that is the case, then President Washington would not been impressed by New York’s 2010 gubernatorial race.
The race began with three dominant runners: Andrew Cuomo (D), Rick A. Lazio (R), and Carl Paladino (Tea Party/R). Many had expected this gubernatorial race to be without out surprises, but they were wrong. Mr.Paladino became one of the first Tea Party candidates to win a Republican primary for governor in a state where the Republican Party has historically chosen moderates. Furthermore, many argue that this election has been one of the dirtiest yet.
So who are the two men competing to become New York’s governor? Andrew Cuomo, who is currently New York’s attorney general, was also the Housing Secretary in the Clinton era and a former political aid to his father, three –term NY Governor Mario Cuomo. He was expected to naturally stroll into Albany and obtain the position of governor, but then Carl Paladino entered the race and everything changed. Paladino is a millionaire Buffalo-area real estate developer who supports the Tea Party movement.
Many believe that Paladino has the advantage of being a new, fresh face in New York’s political world. He promises to take a “baseball bat” to Albany’s corruption, dysfunction, overtaxing, and career oriented politicians. His agenda has attracted many people. In Mid-September, although Cuomo was in the lead, Paladino was only nine points behind.
However, then Paladino felt the need to open his mouth, and his point lead went into the gutter along with his dignity. Gail Collins recently wrote in a New York Times editorial, “Carl Paladino seems incapable le of discussing anything, including the state budget, without making a reference to his opponent Andrew Cuomo’s sex life.” She may very well be right. A number of events have enforced the belief that Paladino lacks the temperance needed to hold such a high-ranking position in New York’s government.
Recently, a confrontation between Paladino and a New York Post reporter was captured on video, and it went viral.
Paladino: You send another goon to my daughter’s house and Ill take you out buddy.
Reporter: You’ll take me out? How are you going to do that?
Paladino: Watch.
News also recently came about filthy emails sent by Mr.Paladino. A photo showing a group of black men trying to get out of the way of an airplane that is apparently moving across a field, with the caption reading “Run, [expletive] Run”. A video clip of a nude couple engaged in intercourse with the title: “Miss France [expletive]” and Mr.Paladino’s comment of it “as a keeper.” Finally, a doctored photo of the President and Mrs.Obama showing Mr. Obama in a stereotypical pimp costume holding the hand of the first lady, who is dressed as a prostitute in a grotesquely revealing outfit. When asked to comment on these emails, Paladino said that they reflected “poor judgment” but offered no other comment.
- Photo from: AllVoices.com
Paladino also has crossed the line when talking about his opponent, Cuomo, calling Cuomo “phony” and implying that there must be a reason his marriage with Kerry Kennedy, 13th child of Robert F.Kennedy, ended so abruptly. Paladino even went so far as to say Cuomo had “no cajones.”
Cuomo does not stray from bad-mouthing his opponenent as well, as he recently called Paladino an “[expletive]”. Criticized by Paladino for taking his children to the gay pride parade in New York City, Cuomo responded, “He’s the last person I will take advice from on how to raise my daughters.”
According to politico.com, Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani said, “At a time when the state and nation are facing massive deficits, irresponsible overspending, job killing taxes, and on ongoing war of terrorism, all candidates should be focused on solutions to our problem and not their personal lives”
I could not agree more with Giuliani. Governors hold the most important offices in state governments, and the person elected for that job should be tactful. Social decorum matters.
Paladino has been far from eloquent. His emails, actions, and remarks present him as uncensored and insensitive. Making racist jokes is far from appropriate, and his apparent sense of humor makes one wonder what stereotypes this man is capable of. The US Census Bureau estimates over one million African Americans live in New York City alone, and Paladino’s gutter mockery of the first couple insults each one. Would he be fairly representing those people with that degrading mindset? The answer” no, he will not. Furthermore, is it any of Paladino’s business to make snide comments about Cuomo’s personal life? No, it is not. In most instances, personal life should not mix with business, and it should definitely not be remarked about by an opposing candidate.
Do I believe that Cuomo has handled himself with a bit more decorum? Yes, I do, but I do believe that he could have chosen to not comment on some matters. I understand his position for calling Paladino an [expletive], as it was provoked, but would it have been better to opt for “no comment”?
Smearing each other with unnecessary comments is not going to get a candidate more votes. A candidate will get more votes through the solution he presents for a problem, and believe me, New York defiantly has some problems.A 46.7 billion deficit and a report from the New York State Department of Labor that there is little change in the high unemployment rate are among only some of our problems.
Governors are supposed to listen to the needs of the people, and I highly doubt that the people of New York are asking for a campaign that resembles a reality TV Show.