Cuomo Campaigned Against Special Interests With Special Interest Cash

One week after Andrew Cuomo was elected, The Daily News has a story about the millions he pocketed from special interests during his campaign, and whether or not this will curry favor to those who gave -- contributions from bankers, billionaires, union leaders, brokers, insurers, all professions who stand to benefit from favorable recognition from the government.

The Cuomo campaign insists the $32 million will not change how Cuomo governs. But Susan Lerner, the executive director of Common Cause New York, pointed out that "When someone who's just given you $55,000 wants something, it can be awfully hard to ... say, 'Sorry, no, it's not in the best interests of the state,'"

The Daily News lists a few contributions which could be of concern. Namely, James Dolan, the CEO of Cablevision and Madison Square Garden, gathered $145,00 for Cuomo, and Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo, and her PAC gave $71,500.

And while throughout his campaign Cuomo railed against 'special interests' and 'lobbyists', he has continued to work with and accept donations from them. Syracuse.com reported a speech at a rally for Cuomo, and how he vowed to serve the people's interests:

"They don't work for the special interest corporations. They don't work for the lobbyists," he went on.

Cuomo was standing before members of the Business Council, a group that spent $460,000 on lobbying between January and July. They applauded and endorsed Cuomo.

It was a paradox: a candidate claiming to fight lobbyists and accepting their endorsement at the same time.