I am a NYC democrat, and I vote. I think I've voted in every election since 2000 and that includes low turnout affairs like Tuesdays statewide primary. It's clear to me that my conservaDem governor is terrified of Tim Wu getting enough votes to displace Kathy Hochul on the state ticket, but NOT for the reasons everyone thinks. I'll present my argument as to why, in the deluded mind of Cuomo, keeping Tim Wu off the ticket is terribly important on the other side of the orange squiggly.
As a registered Dem who always votes, I'm used to getting calls in the two weeks before every election. What I'm not used to is getting a call like the one I received last Thursday. The caller--a push poller--wished to 'inform' me about Kathy Hochul record. When I told him that I was aware that Hochul is pro-NRA and anti-union but that's all I knew about her, the push poller was clearly taken aback. He rallied and then informed me that Hochul supported 'border security.' I then told him I supported the DREAM Act and the children crossing the boarder fleeing violence in Central America should be allowed to stay. That phone call ended when I told him that I would be voting on Tues and would be voting for Tim Wu.
I just took another call 30 minutes ago from someone calling on behalf of Kathy Hochul and asking me if I would be voting for her in the primary on Tues. Before allowing me to answer he rattled off all the endorsements Hochul had received, including DeBlasio (thanks Bill!) and H. Clinton. I told him that I was a union member and pro-gun control and for those reason Tim Wu had my vote. He sputtered, said thank you, and ended the call. While I have not yet received the Hillary Clinton robocall I'm sure that's coming. But, aside from his controlling nature, why is Cuomo so concerned about Tim Wu? This is where it gets interesting.
Despite the assertions of Kos and others, I don't believe Cuomo is running, or even plans to run, for president in 2016. He isn't stupid, he knows no one other than Sen. Warren has a realistic shot at winning the Democratic nomination and Cuomo isn't going to waste money or political capital on a symbolic campaign. That's why he hasn't visited Iowa or NH, hasn't taken any splashy trips (hell, outside of his controversial trip to Israel he's barely left the state!) or begun laying the groundwork for a real campaign. He's NOT RUNNING. But this doesn't mean he doesn't have a plan for 2016
I think that Cuomo wants to be Vice-President. He's young enough and has enough symbolic achievements--passing gay marriage and gun control laws chief among them--to be a credible number two, wait eight years and then make his run. Plus he's Wall Street approved! He has to think of himself as a leading candidate for Vice, especially with Jay Nixon's recent elimination from consideration. I'm note sure why Hillary, with a strong base in NY, would want him as her #2, but he worked in Bill's administration and perhaps has inside info in his favor. But, as has been exhaustively chronicled here at Dailykos, Cuomo's not at all progressive. He wants to make sure that if he is forced to give up his seat that none of the legislation he has bottled up will see the floor. Like Lieberman, Cuomo truly believes that his brand of conservaDem politics is the best way to govern and he doesn't want his successor partnering with DeBlasio and pushing forward a more liberal agenda. This, by the way, is why DeBlasio endorsed Hochul. Cuomo is his political equal, but Mayor Bill has to feel he can roll the divisive and inexperienced Hochul is she becomes Governor.
If Tim Wu wins, Cuomo is going to feel boxed in. If he steps down to become the Vice-President his centrist 'legacy' would quickly be erased as control of the state Democratic party would shift away from upstate NY and towards more progressive NYC. Yet another reason to vote for Tim Wu. Find out how to donate, call for and otherwise help Tim Wu (and Zephyr Teachout) here: http://www.teachoutwu.com/