Cuomo Mum on Attorney General Endorsement

NEW YORK - According to an informative article in yesterday's NY Daily News, gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo has not endorsed a replacement for the Attorney General post, yet, and he may not. What are the implications of Cuomo's endorsement, or lack thereof?

If Cuomo remains mum, he runs the risk that voters will view him as weak and unable to take a stand. After all, Cuomo has experience and expertise. He knows the candidates for Attorney General better than the average voter. Shouldn't it be incumbent upon him to help his constituents decide upon the important issue of the upcoming Attorney General who will represent them?

On the other hand, if Cuomo endorses a candidate, it could have great influence upon the election's outcome for the reasons mentioned above. Also, some voters cast their votes based upon popularity, likability, rather than upon issues. If they like Cuomo, they might vote for the candidate he endorses solely for that reason. According to the NY Daily News article, Cuomo's "nod - particularly if it comes at the eleventh hour - could tip the balance in what is widely expected to be a low-turnout election."

Mr. Cuomo, please stay mum. Allow the candidates to represent themselves to the voters. Let them explain their qualifications and stands on issues. Allow the voters to do what it is their responsibility to do - be informed, know who they are voting for, why they are voting, and cast sincere, well-informed votes. This is the American way; this is democracy.

For Cuomo to endorse an Attorney General candidate now would be part of the politics-as-usual political game. How can a voter be sure that the reasons Cuomo endorses someone are reasons that matter to him or her? If Cuomo's endorsement attracts voters who do not look into or care about the issues, it will do a great disservice to all of us. We don't want an Attorney General in office mainly because Mr. Cuomo wants him or her there. We want an AG who will be best for the people, chosen by the people.

I certainly do respect Mr. Cuomo's opinion. If we could all be sure that voters would only use it as "one" of the deciding factors in their votes along with all other factors, I'd say, "Mr. Cuomo, endorse a candidate for Attorney General, now."

As that is not the case, Cuomo's endorsement of a candidate for Attorney General now would tip the scales of justice and undermine democracy.

Dear Mr. Cuomo, please stay mum.

Sources:

Elizabeth Benjamin, "Cuomo still hasn;'t endorsed a candidate for attorney general, and he may not," NY Daily News