Former Mayor Bill de Blasio Slams Andrew Cuomo as "Worthy of Being Mayor"

Strategic Insights -

Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has been critical of his political nemesis, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, stating that he would "deepen the troubled status quo" in the city if elected mayor this year. De Blasio has long-standing grievances against Cuomo, including accusations of undermining the city and prioritizing the interests of the wealthy and powerful. In a recent interview, de Blasio revisited their fraught relationship, saying that Cuomo's "understanding of New York City is a bit stuck in the 1980s and '90s" and that he does not feel the affordability crisis.

De Blasio criticized Cuomo's policies, particularly in regards to affordable housing, saying that his administration created a program but never received support from the state. He also accused Cuomo of not taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously, pointing to the governor's delay in implementing a "shelter in place" order that de Blasio had called for in March 2020. De Blasio expressed skepticism that Cuomo would be able to stand up to President Trump, citing their similar personalities and the governor's propensity to lie.

Key Takeaways:

  • De Blasio thinks Cuomo would "deepen the troubled status quo" in the city with his policy agenda.
  • Cuomo's policies on affordable housing have been criticized for not providing meaningful support for New York City.
  • De Blasio accused Cuomo of delaying the implementation of a "shelter in place" order during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Cuomo has a history of lying and not telling the truth, including about the nursing home scandal.
  • De Blasio expressed skepticism that Cuomo would be able to stand up to Trump due to their similar personalities.
  • Cuomo has a long history of being vindictive and bullying, as seen in his treatment of Andy Byford, the subway leader.
  • De Blasio thinks Cuomo's campaign for mayor is a "steppingstone" for his own presidential ambitions.
  • There is no evidence to suggest that Cuomo has had a change of heart or has learned from his mistakes.

Statistics:

  • 30 years: The amount of time Cuomo has not lived in New York City.
  • 10 years: The amount of time since de Blasio accused Cuomo of seeking revenge in a public interview.
  • 2015: The year in which de Blasio accused Cuomo of seeking revenge in a public interview.
  • 30 minutes: The length of time de Blasio spent in an interview talking about Cuomo's policies and character.
  • March 2020: The month in which de Blasio called for a "shelter in place" order that Cuomo delayed implementing.
  • San Francisco: The city in which de Blasio saw a "shelter in place" order working effectively during the pandemic.
  • 1980s and '90s: The time period in which Cuomo's understanding of New York City is "stuck".

Sources:

  • "Former Mayor Bill de Blasio Slams Andrew Cuomo as 'Worthy of Being Mayor'" by The New York Times (no publication date given)
  • Interview with Bill de Blasio (no date given)