Paladino Speaks to the People, Cuomo Lacks Luster

NEW YORK - Whether you like what he says or not, you have to give Carl Paladino credit for one thing, he speaks to the people. Yesterday, Paladino spoke to us in an interview with the NY Daily News. Where is the paper's interview with Andrew Cuomo? It is in the interest of fair play to interview both candidates. Paladino is in a spread that covers half of the paper's page 10 and all of page 11. A little box at the bottom of page 10 mentions Cuomo's endorsement of Schneiderman.

I would have liked to read Paladino's interview on page 10 and Cuomo's interview on page 11, especially since the interview is in Q & A format. Then, I could have seen where Paladino stands on the issues questioned and where Cuomo stands on the same issues.

I see where Paladino stands on nine issues:

-- Medicaid funding of abortion
-- Mayor Bloomberg's plan to microstamp bullet casings
-- Reforming New York's ethics laws
-- Creating jobs
-- Guaranteed state works pensions or 401(k)-like options
-- Getting his agenda passed if Governor
-- Illegal immigration law like Arizona's
-- Cutting taxes
-- Lawsuit requiring more funding for New York City schools

These are important issues that affect all New Yorkers. Paladino answered the NY Daily News' questions about these issues as straightforward as the meridian line we follow when we drive a two-way road. His stance on these issues are as clear as a newly washed, squeaky clean window. Whether you agree with his stands or not, Paladino gives you the option to agree or disagree by making his viewpoints clear.

Where does Cuomo stand on these particular issues? I dunno.

To date, I do know I won't find Andrew Cuomo's stances on issues on NY1 News, yesterday's NY Daily News, or in a debate with Carl Paladino.

Perhaps I will find Cuomo's stands on his website? Perhaps I'll find them if I search the Internet?

Do busy New Yorkers want to spend time searching for Cuomo's stances on important issues to help them decide whether or not to vote for him? Should they have to search? Given our modern, eclectic lifestyle with so many other things to do, will they bother?

I always thought it was a political candidate's responsibility to reach the people, not the other way around. Maybe I'm an election dinosaur? Maybe Cuomo is inventing a new-fangled way of running for NY State Governor? I dunno.

I do know what I suspect. I suspect Mr. Cuomo has a plan and his, we'll call it lack of luster, is a political tactic akin to a jackal stalking.

Anticipation is like an aphrodisiac. If you make people want to hear what you have to say, they will be thrilled when you finally say it. They will listen more intently and your words will carry more weight.

Perhaps Cuomo is trying to play off the public's psyche? I dunno. We'll see.

Source:Kenneth Lovett, "Carl Paladino loves Motown, the Yankees and the Rolling Stones, governor candidate tells News," NY Daily News