Andrew Cuomo gets rattled

Drudge is highlighting an article from the NY Daily News about the race for governor in New York between Andrew Cuomo and Carl Ppaladino. It seems that Paladino is not cooperating with Cuomo's plans for a stately coronation as governor of the Empire State. For the first time in a long time, there is a Republican who is actually calling out the Democrats for all of the damage that they have done to New York. The statements are not wrapped in dull and polite language like the usual criticism from Republicans. They are not part of teh "go along to get along" new York State political culture. They are direct attacks on Cuomo for his part in creating the sub prime mortgages that nearly drove the USA into a depression in 2008. They also call on Cuomo to step out from behind his father's shadow and debate the issues in front of all the people. Of course, they are stated in the colorful and forceful language that Paladino has used for all of the campaign.

The funny thing about these attacks is that Cuomo seems so flummoxed by them. He is quoted by the News as steaming that his campaign has all this stuff to use against Paladino but nevertheless he remains on the defensive. That is a pretty good indicator that Cuomo and his staff do not know how to deal with an opponent who forcefully presents the truth. Cuomo has always led a charmed political life that his father arranged for him. Indeed, the only time that Cuomo had a meaningful opponent, his campaign collapsed of its own ineptitude. There is no reason to believe that Cuomo would do any better as governor of New York than he did as Secretary of Housing -- and Paladino is right that Cuomo invented the sub prime mortgage.

While Paladino will surely be tarred as a crazy by the "responsible" liberal media in New York City, he may well touch a nerve with the people of the state. A Paladino victory is unlikely, but it is no longer impossible. Just imagine what would happen if New York got a governor who campaigned on a promise to cut spending by 20% and taxes by 10%. It would be the ultimate upset of a year full of upsets.