Cuomo Releases Ads and Paladino Slings Mud

NEW YORK - The race between Democratic candidate, Andrew Cuomo, and Republican candidate, Carl Paladino, for New York State Governor has been unusual so far. Usually, two candidates vie for the public's attention, equally. They attack each other, usually by mudslinging, equally.

However, up until last week, Paladino has been in the race pretty much by himself. He's been racing around New York and grabbing as many photo ops as possible. He has appeared on NY1 several times and he gave an interview to the New York Daily News. Paladino has been getting his face here, there, and everywhere and with his face, his mouth. If Paladino worked in radio, he'd be a "shock jock." He is double 0 minus 7. He says outrageous and outlandish things just to get people's attention.

Cuomo, on the slicker hand, has been quiet. So quiet, that I asked he speak in my article, "Cuomo Shows Disappointment so Far." His reaction to all of Paladino's hoopla has been less than one's reaction to a pesky fly buzzing around the potato salad on a picnic table. He has acted as though Paladino was of no consequence.

Then, an unusual turn of events took place in this unusual race. A Quinnipiac Poll showed that Paladino trailed Cuomo by only six points. Cuomo released an ad that criticizes Paladino.

Then, some politics as usual took place. Media frenzy ensued over Paladino's love-child including a NY Post interview with Mrs. Paladino. It angered Paladino and he resorted to pure, unadulterated mudslinging. He accused Cuomo of having extramarital affairs which he has, but has not, retracted, reports The Washington Post.

In response to Paladino's accusations, Cuomo spoke out about the hurt the accusations caused him and his family, according to The Huffington Post. It was a smart move for it casted a "bad guy" shadow all over Paladino. It kept Cuomo where he has strived to be, on the high road, and cemented Paladino further into the low road he chose to campaign on in the first place.

Now, the New York State Gubernatorial race is evolving into a more usual than unusual race with both candidates participating, sort of. Cuomo still has not agreed to debate Paladino.

Paladino's antics have been pretty extreme so far. In addition to his uncorroborated accusation of extramarital affairs, he has also accused Cuomo of having "no cojones." Yet, these antics have only made Cuomo take a swipe or two at his pesky picnic fly. So, what will it take, if anything, for Paladino to draw Cuomo out for debates, or at least, one debate?

It is an unusual race, indeed. Paladino is running around wearing the pavement off of the low road, not to mention his shoe soles. Cuomo is sitting in a lounge chair on the high road, sipping cappuccino.

Yet, come November, cappuccino will be served in Albany.

Sources:

Quinnipiac Poll, "September 22, 2010 - Paladino Trails Cuomo By 6 Points In New York Gov Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Small Tea Party Movement Backs Republican 4-1," Quinnipiac University

Nicholas Confessore, "Cuomo Fires First Salvo Against Paladino," The New York Times

Maureen Callahan, "Paladino's wife tells of son's loss, hubby's affair & 'get over it' policy," The NY Post

The Associated Press, "NY GOP gov candidate says no proof of Cuomo affair," The Washington Post

Beth Fouhy, "Cuomo: Paladino's Infidelity Allegations Hurt Me, My Family," The Huffington Post