Over the past several weeks, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been a much-needed daily dose of reality, reason and comfort for New Yorkers and for our entire nation. As we have witnessed the crisis transform our lives, and the new reality of social distancing, I have noticed how much Andrew is like his father, Governor Mario M. Cuomo.
Beginning as an advisor to his father, I have known and worked with Andrew for forty years. From the beginning, it was clear there was a friendly rivalry between him and his dad. A rivalry in doing good, a rivalry in leadership and as a recently resurfaced photo captured, even on the basketball court. If you don’t believe the Cuomo men are competitive, just watch Chris interview Andrew to learn more about the deeply respectful yet spirited relationships.
Yet it is not the competitiveness that has struck me recently; it is how much of the soul of Mario Cuomo has become his son’s essence as he battles this terrible foe, Covid-19. Naturally there is a confidence and detailed understanding of how to find the necessary resource like testing kits, space for additional beds, and ventilators. What illustrates his soul and mirrors that of his father is his concern for the entire populace, and especially for those most vulnerable. He has focused on those who will suffer the most in this awful economy ahead of us, the poor and working class. Indeed, it is his vision of protecting Governor Cuomo’s beloved Family of New York.
Mario Cuomo spent his life fighting for poor and working-class people and even for those sentenced to die. He lost his governorship in 1994 because of his stand on the death penalty and his desire to help the poorest in our society. He took to the national stage to declare that every American deserved the opportunity to reach their potential. It is in his famous 1984 “A Tale of Two Cities” speech at the National Convention in San Francisco, California where Mario mentioned, “Even worse: There are elderly people who tremble in their basements of their houses.” What could be truer at this moment when the elderly and so many others are at risk. And what could be more appropriate than Andrew embracing the spirit and soul of his father by making it very clear he and “we are not willing to sacrifice 1–2% of New Yorkers.”
Sometimes Mario and I would discuss who was the greater leader President Franklin Roosevelt or his own hero, President Lincoln. After outlining my personal arguments, Mario would insist as only he could, “John, it’s not the man or woman who is great, but the event that makes them great, the Civil War, Depression, World War II.” Well, clearly, that is what we see in his own son now.
This is even more pronounced in contrast to Washington’s unwillingness to rise to the occasion. Mario’s words are so profound because while events make a leader great, there has to be something about that leader that allows him or her to grasp the moment. Andrew and several other governors have taken decisive, clear cut, battle worthy actions, others clearly haven’t.
This type of leadership in crisis is vital to making it through the challenging times and coming out stronger, wiser and more economically sound. Mario embraced all of this during his governorship and beyond. As his son is now.
Welcome back, Mario, you live in your son fighting our greatest battle.
