Why (If Cuomo Becomes an Outright Liability) I Want to See Kirsten Gillibrand as Governor of New York

As much as I dislike the New York Post (thanks to Murdoch's blood), I will admit this: 2014 isn't looking good for the Democrats in statewide office in New York. Since 2006, the state's most powerful people: the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and comptroller have all been Democrats.

But they've almost all had one thing in common: downstate. Very few statewide politicians come from Upstate and I can't recall the last governor we've had who has been a native of upstate. And Pataki doesn't county. Garrison, by my skewed definition of upstate, is downstate. (My definition of the upstate-downstate divide is I-84. You live north of 84, you're upstate. South: downstate).

Now I'm not saying that Andrew Cuomo has been a terrible governor, in some ways, he has done things that no one has thought possible. He's held a firm line on taxes,

But the negative press in New York has not helped. His PR machine, quite simply, sucks.

My fear is that we've had three short-term serving Democrats in New York since Pataki left office. I don't think NY voters are interested in yet ANOTHER Democrat as governor. I am though interested! We just need the right one.

I PRAY for a primary challenge against Cuomo. Sure, they're dangerous if your party is looking at reelection. But, if you have popular statewide figures, it's a better shot. Here's my picks:

• Kirsten Gillibrand: First elected as a moderate Democrat in the 2006 referendum on Iraq and Bush, Gillibrand has become a force unmatched in New York history. She's from the Albany area, was (and I guess still is, if the Senate has one) a Blue Dog Democrat, support gun rights (that support stops with background checks and in general has recently gone out the door, although she has held a gun in her life, something I doubt Cuomo has ever done), supports the death penalty (which having an opinion on that in NY does not matter), is against illegal immigration but wants reform in that area, wants government budgetary reform, is pro-choice (in a state where three-fourths of voters support abortion rights, with sensible restrictions),  Generally, she comes off more likeable than Cuomo, and I don't think has the same combative attitude. She could easily win if she can run a strong campaign, and I would overwhelmingly support her.
• Tom Suozzi. As I one day hope to be a county executive here in New York (as a stepping stone to the politicla dead-end office of Lieutenant Governor). Suozzi lost to Spitzer back in '06 partly based on the "Spitzer wave" that year. Spitzer had the money, statewide name appeal, early start (in fact, Spitzer's announcement was part of why Pataki didn't run for a fourth term, as Nelson Rockefeller is the only NY governor since I don't know when to get elected four times and Mario Cuomo lost his race for a fourth term, which ironically Pataki was the candidate who beat Cuomo the elder) and the momentum. Suozzi is best known for promoting the Cuomo tax caps, which has only partly helped New York's government problems. But it would be REALLY suspicious for him to run when he's trying to get his job as Nassau County Executive back. Bets are off with him.
• Bob Duffy: He keeps a too-low profile and is the governor's lackey, so that might not quite work. But as an upstater who spent time as Rochester mayor, cleaning up that city, Duffy has the chutzpah and credentials.
• Thomas DiNapoli: Good ol' DiNapoli. The guilty conscience of the Cuomo administration. If there's someone who knows how bad New York is in the pits, it's this guy. A product of Nassau County, has served in a dozen plus elected offices.

But Cuomo has things in his favor: he's been tough on taxes, has championed dairy farms in the state, passed same-sex marriage legislation, he's trying to get the state straightened out. But his PR and handling on the SAFE Act make him a political liability. But how much? The father in law of the son of the head of the New York Republican Party ran for the Republican mayoral primary in New York City AND LOST. There's hope. New Yorkers, are for the most part, liberals. All four upstate cities, their suburbs and NYC, plus the North Country and half the people in the NYC suburbs lean left. The New York State GOP is too moderate for the national party. And Paladino is permanently unelectable with his behavior, which makes mine (which can be weird at times, yes, I'm willing to take shots at myself) look normal.

But maybe it is time for a Republican to run New York. Unless the Tax Foundation has a bias already against New York, it seems Cuomo has been a lame duck since his first day in Albany. It's true. We have more taxes than any other state, and yet it seems that New York's quality of life doesn't equal the value of the high taxes. And he's been a hypocrite on government transparency, something that is of utmost concern of mine.