Hon. Mario Cuomo, 52nd Governor of New York (1983-1995), passed away today at the age of 82. He was known as a liberal giant who was very close to running for President and a strong contender for a Clinton nomination to the Supreme Court. He had previously served as NY’s Secretary of State and Lt. Governor and unsuccessfully sought the Mayoralty of NYC. While he was still Governor I read a biography of him by Robert McElvaine and he has been a political hero of mine since. He was defeated for re-election to a fourth term in 1994 in the Republican wave. He is survived by, among others, two well-known sons – current Governor Andrew and news anchor Chris.
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and listen to it to find out how great a political figure he was.
He also used to have a show where he would discuss issues with a liberal journalist whose name I can’t remember right now.
It’s a minor thing, but the discussion was always intelligent. That and the total lack of animosity on the show toward people holding other views still sticks in my mind.
“…and call it recovery.”
Digby has the link to the 1984 speech.
Cuomo’s rhetoric still holds power. We can envision America as a family, and President Obama is certainly a father figure who is looking out for everyone in the family–whereas the Republicans play favorites, letting the strongest kids take all the food at the table.
That said, Cuomo did help to build the stereotype of the liberal as dithering, unable to seal the deal. You’ve got to be in it to win it, and if you don’t win it, your ideas don’t really help people all that much.
Historical oddity: After he & Ann Richards lost, they appeared in a Doritos commercial.
Can’t think of a figure before or since able to simultaneously demolish the GOP as the party of faith while boldly asserting ours is. They believe in social Darwinism even if they reject evolution while we believe in an evolving society where all people and creeds can follow the golden rule to love ones neighbor. Such a bold line.