It takes chutzpah and often a proven track record to merit a reputable, national title.
Two New Yorkers managed to cop the loftiest of all cities and states during two of America’s worst national crises.
Mayor Rudolph Giuliani nabbed the one for being the urban shepherd during the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001. How he handled events following the reported terrorist attack earned the number one citizen of New York City, national recognition branding him “America’s mayor.”
Aggrieved by the deaths of 2,977 and injuries to 25,000, Americans lauded the Republican mayor’s leadership, fortitude and earnest approach in subduing fear, and returning normalcy to the city.
A similar approach to leadership from Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 dubbed the Empire State leader “America’s Governor.”
Unrivaled for his daily, candid reportage on the health emergency even Republicans endorsed the moniker he was tagged.
When the president’s briefings failed to assure solutions to remedying the spread of the pandemic, New York State’s CEO invited the press corps to his daily press briefings that quickly satiated Americans living outside the borders.
Providing what seemed the best alternative to a White House bragfest, Cuomo’s accounts became salve to citizens needing updates on tracking infection rates, hospitalizations and daily death counts.
As the chief mouth piece of all 50 governors, Gov. Cuomo reported on the peak, surges and advised on how to level the curve. He often faced-off against the White House handling of the scourge, at times criticizing the leadership and lack of ability to deliver transparency.
In time, the commander-in-chief yielded to the competition by abandoning what the networks decided to be a declining audience feature.
But like Giuliani’s fall from grace after he sided with his party leader to consistently spout Trumpisms, the recently all adoring state leader is losing the luster he mustered one year ago and is now being challenged for the seat his father Mario held in high esteem from 1983 to 1995.
Amid a mountain of allegations focusing on sexual misconduct, deceitful reporting of numbers of COVID-19 patients in nursing homes, nepotism and cronyism, the state’s leading advocate is faced with a number of challenges to a fourth term in Albany.
ANDREW VS ANDREW
Sixty-three-year-old, Gov. Cuomo is determined to keep the seat he won in 2011.
However, the former mayor’s 35-year-old-son Andrew Giuliani thinks he can beat the popular namesake rival.
Recently, the former Trump aide announced plans to make his bid to unseat the embattled Democrat.
“I plan to run,” the political analyst for conservative Newsmax cable TV network said of the 2022 NY gubernatorial elections.
“Outside of anybody named Trump I think I have the best chance to win and take the state back.”
The verdict is not yet in on Cuomo’s chances.
Mixed reactions to allegations against him and the fact the governor has consistently denied charges — though they continue to mount — still places him ahead of any Republican hankering to “take back” the state.
The Red-eyed, ambitious offspring must first win the confidence of his party leaders in order to get the endorsement he needs to run against the incumbent Democrat.
And while that may seem likely, the most arduous task will be to win a majority of votes, which has eluded the party since George Pataki eeked out victory to govern the state from 1995 to 2006.
Democrats now control 23 of the 50 states, Republicans claim 27.
Meanwhile on the west coast, another Trump-supportive candidate wants to reclaim California and may be following the trend of electing celebrities.
Republican Caitlyn Jenner, 65 and a former Olympian swimmer Bruce Jenner — recently announced intentions of following the path of former, successful party candidates — actor Ronald Reagan and body-builder Arnold Schwartznegger.
If successful, she would make history as the first transgender governor.
Catch you on The Inside!
