Astorino Swipes at Cuomo on Rare NYC Jaunt

By PAOLO CREMIDIS

Westchester county executive turned gubernatorial candidate, Rob Astorino was in town on Tuesday to pitch his candidacy to the New York City small business community, and the local Republican machine.

Starting at 8 a.m. at a press forum hosted by Craig’s Business organization Astorino mocked Governor Cuomo for attacking him on the issue of integration in Westchester County, but not attacking elected officials for the same issue on Long Island.

The jab at Cuomo came  at a time when the state Democratic committee took out two ads attacking Astorino over an ongoing racial integration controversy in Westchester County.

Astorino replied to the ads by saying that Governor Cuomo effectively called people on Long Island and Westchester  racist.

“In two unforgivable new television commercials, Mr. Cuomo effectively calls me and hundreds of thousands of Westchester and Long Island families racist,” he said, “The reason? Because we don’t agree that sensible zoning laws are discriminatory. Mr. Cuomo’s ads viciously attack us for defending our communities against arbitrary federal interference and the insane property tax hikes that would come with it.

With those comments in mind Astorino also challenged Governor Cuomo to a debate.

“If you’ve got something to say to me and the people of 31 Westchester communities and Oyster Bay in Nassau County, Mr. Cuomo, say it to us directly,” Astorino said. “How about standing behind your attacks by publicly debating the issue, if you have the courage to? What’s it gonna be?”

 Astorino also talked about the importance of natural gas, and cutting medicare costs for municipalities.

 Afterwards Astorino took a walking tour of Chinatown observing small businesses and engaging with local community groups. In these venues Astorino remarked that taxes were decreasing the state population. “Taxes are driving out people,” he said. “The regulations are crushing small businesses.”

This rare swing through New York City represented Astorino’s attempt to appeal to more moderate voters and the business communit, observers noted..

A poll by Real Clear politics put Astorino at 25 percent and incumbent  Cuomo picking up over 60 percent of the vote.

Astorino is a Republican representing one of the most Democratic counties in New York State. He was reelected county executive with 55 percent of the vote.

The Cuomo campaign could not be reached for comment.

 

Governor Cuomo and New York State are considered a “safe Democrat” seat by the cook political report in the Governor’s race.