Andrew Cuomo Interview: Governor Talks 2016, Gay Marriage In Maureen Dowd New York Times Piece

Maureen Dowd interviewed Andrew Cuomo in her Tuesday op-ed column, one of the New York governor's first non-radio chats in quite some time.

The New York Times' writer pressed him on religion, gay marriage and rumors that he might run for president in 2016.

"If I’m breathing in 2016, I’ll be happy,” he said.

Check out the rest of the interview on NYTimes.com.

Comments

[Alex Croley]

09:41 AM on 07/06/2011

Since 2008 I've heard more about the next election rather then Afghanistan. In 2008 it was the mid terms, now 2010 we listen about the next presidencial election. How about the more important issues instead of the constant running for office.

[eddw88]

12:50 PM on 07/03/2011

Let's just work on 2012 first and stop the republicans from their slashing and burning of our country.

[Pennstategirl]

09:24 AM on 07/03/2011

I'm thinking Mr. Cuomo is making quite a splash with the budget and gay marriage in a few months time. And he hasn't trashed the unions and public service workers. Pretty impressive impact viewed from Arizona. Wish we had some of that here.

[JamesA1102]

10:03 PM on 07/01/2011

As long as his economic policies are to the right of Chris Christie, Cuomo will never win the Democratic nomination.

[Ed438]

08:16 AM on 06/30/2011

I already commented on the Governor on the Times website but not on Mo Do's more recent column:

http://community.nytimes.com/comments/www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/nyregion/the-road-to-gay-marriage-in-new-york.html?permid=400#comment400

Despite Obama's risky, audacious and, fortunately successful mission to get Osama, he still thinks he has to play nice with the crazy Republicans. Golf with with John Boehner? Oh please!

Andrew Cuomo is a politician like Obama but he apparently knows how to get things done and Barack either doesn't or won't.

[jimmygeewhiz]

03:32 PM on 06/30/2011

Here's a start

MILITARY & VETERANS
• Ordered the Pentagon to cover expenses of families of fallen soldiers if they wish to be on site when the body arrives back in the US (2009)
• Ended the Bush-era “blackout” imposed on media coverage of the return of fallen US soldiers (2009) * Note: The media is now permitted to cover the story pending adherence to respectful rules and with the approval of the fallen soldier’s family
• Ended the Bush-era “black out” policy on media coverage of war casualties (2009) * Note: Full information is now released for the first time in the War on Terror
• Ordered better body armor to be procured for US troops (2009)
• Funding new Mine Resistant Ambush Vehicles (2009) * Note: The old Hummers were very vulnerable to roadside explosives and an alarming percentage of our soldiers lost in Iraq were on account of IEDs
• Working to increase pay and benefits for military personnel (2009)
• Improving housing for military personnel (2009)
• Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses (2009)
• Ordered that conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other neglected military hospitals be improved (2009)
• Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military to a post-Cold War, modern fighting force (2009) * Note: Bush announced in 2001 his intention to do this but backed off the reforms after 9/11, which include: new procurement policies; increasing the size of Special Ops units; deploying new

[CDRUSNret]

12:35 PM on 07/01/2011

While he has surprised me with his support of the military, he had little of nothing to do with most of this:

• Ended the Bush-era “blackout” imposed on media coverage of the return of fallen US soldiers (2009)
----So what? Not all families agreed.

• Ordered better body armor to be procured for US troops (2009)
-- Done under Bush. If you’re talking about the IOTV, the latest version was contracted in 2007.

• Funding new Mine Resistant Ambush Vehicles (2009)
--Bush era. Deliveries began in 2007.

• Working to increase pay and benefits for military personnel (2009)
-- Congress does this every year. Little to do with the president.

• Improving housing for military personnel (2009)
--The MILCON portion of the defense appropriation addresses military housing. It’s multi-year funding. The president simply signs it.

• Ordered that conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other neglected military hospitals be improved (2009)
-- The scandal that led to improvements was in 2007. SECDEF Gates ordered the Army Sec to fire the head of WRAMC. Congressional hearings in 2007 led to funding of improvements.

• Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military to a post-Cold War, modern fighting force (2009)
--This was ongoing and had nothing to do with Obama. By law, the National Military Strategy is done in Feb of even numbered years. That and the Quadrennial Defense Review provide guidance for force structure. Procurement reform is solely the responsibility of Congress. See DoD Directive 5000.01.

[jimmygeewhiz]

03:33 PM on 06/30/2011

• Authorized construction of additional health centers to care for veterans (2009)
• Suspended the Bush-era decision to purchase a fleet of Marine One helicopters from suppliers in favor of American made helicopters (2009)
• Ordered a review of the existing “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the military (2010)
• New GI Bill for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan (2009)
• Signed bill providing assistance for caregivers of veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan (2010) * Note: The omnibus bill does the following: Training, funding, and counseling for caregivers; promoting pilot childcare programs for women vets under treatment at the VA; independent oversight to prevent abuse; readjustment counseling for National Guard and reservist units; etc.
• Eliminated co-payments for veterans who are catastrophically disabled (2010)
• Fulfilled campaign promise to have combat troops (90,000) out of Iraq by August 31, 2010 (2010)
• Established a new interagency task force to assist veterans owning small businesses (2010) * Note: The efforts include promoting federal contract opportunities, improve access to loans and capital, mentor assistance programs, etc.
• Signed The Families of Fallen Heroes Act, which covers the moving costs of immediate family members of those lost in service (military, intelligence, and security personnel) (2010)
RIGHTS
• Instituted enforcements for equal pay for women (Lilly Ledbetter Bill) (2009)
• Appointed Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina, to the Supreme Court (2009)
• Held the first Seder in White House
• Appointed a diverse Cabinet and diverse White House staff

[CDRUSNret]

12:52 PM on 07/01/2011

• Authorized constructi­on of additional health centers to care for veterans (2009)
-- Only Congress can authorise and appropriate. Prez simply signs.

• Suspended the Bush-era decision to purchase a fleet of Marine One helicopter­s from suppliers in favor of American made helicopter­s (2009)
-- Bush era, but Congressional pork issue. Not Bush's decision to make.

• New GI Bill for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanista­n (2009)
--Signed a bill that passed 409-3 in the House. Quite a profile in courage.

• Signed bill providing assistance for caregivers of veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanista­n (2010)
-- "Signed"...how hard did he advocate for it?

• Eliminated co-payment­s for veterans who are catastroph­ically disabled (2010)
-- Congress did it, not Obama. Bi-partisan support, not his arm twisting.

[sej100]

10:25 PM on 06/29/2011

If you are progressive watch out for Andrew Cuomo. He is breaking labor, decimating hard earned benefits of workers and insuring the wealthy do NOT pay taxes in NY. Like Obama he is governing not as a progressive democrat but a Wall Street broker

[Catch 22]

07:09 PM on 06/29/2011

If he's half as good as his dad, intellectually and on principle, he will do just fine.

[1088]

02:18 PM on 06/29/2011

When the white man doe one thing right, then he's the greatest man on earth, but when the black President repeal DADT, stop defending DOMA, pulled back the economy, health care reform, financial reform, equal pay, saved GM and save millions of jobs, hate crime legislation passed. Then he is not qualify to run for re-election. It's so clear to me, and so sickening to watch, and I'll be working my behind off to make certain, that this President get re-elected.

[kellysmalltowngirl]

04:30 PM on 06/29/2011

Obama can't run in 2016 unless he loses in 2012. Cuomo commented about 2016, not 2012.

[French Toast]

07:47 PM on 06/29/2011

This President hasn't earned many second votes. He is an ineffective leader and 9 out of every 10 "accomplishments" either would have passed no matter what or aren't anything that anyone is happy with because they're beyond weak. Only the auto bailouts are really worth mentioning.

If there's one thing both parties and all pundits of any stripe agree on: The president can't or won't negotiate toughly and his leadership doesn't at all match up to his oratory skills.

Race card ignored for the desperate water carrying that it is. I'm a progressive, not an Obamabot. He doesn't want to act like a progressive? I won't worship him because he has a D. Cuomo worked hard, lobbied hard, and actually convinced Republicans to switch to his side. THAT'S leadership.

[jimmygeewhiz]

03:38 PM on 06/30/2011

You sound like the "my way or highway" Boehner and his ilk portray. That's why you'll never be taken seriously.