BUFFALO - GOP challenger Rob Astorino hit Gov. Cuomo hard in a gubernatorial debate Wednesday night over the state of New York's economy, taxes and his handling of a state anti-corruption commission.
Cuomo and Astorino, along with two minor party candidates - Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian Michael McDermott - shared the stage in the one-hour televised debate from Buffalo.
The jabs started right from the get-go.
Cuomo, the Democratic incumbent, in his opening remarks accused Astorino of having an 'ultra-conservative philosophy that disrespects women, minorities and immigrants.'
Astorino went on the attack over the scandal surrounding Cuomo's handling of his anti-corruption commission, which has resulted in a federal investigation.
He said Cuomo 'may very well be indicted after Election Day comes and goes for witness tampering, obstruction of justice, failure to report crimes.'
He asked the governor: 'If you would talk to the people, directly tell them the truth, raise your right hand, swear that neither you nor your staff has been subpoenaed by the U.S. attorney in regards to the Moreland Commission scandal.'
Cuomo called Astorino's charges 'outrageous.'
He denied any interference with the panel and said he pulled the plug after nine months because the Legislature gave him what he wanted - an ethics reform package.
Astorino, the Westchester County executive, rejected Cuomo's suggestion the state is better off than it was four years ago.
While Cuomo cited lower corporate and personal tax rates, 511,000 new jobs, and a state government working in a bipartisan way, Astorino painted a picture where 'New York is losing - and we're losing badly.'
He called for more tax cuts and term limits 'to clean up the corruption of the Andrew Cuomo administration.'
Astorino accused Cuomo of engaging in massive corporate welfare in exchange for big political donations. He said the state has handed out $21 billion in tax credits while Cuomo padded his campaign war chest.
'What we need in this state is not gimmicks,' he said, calling for cuts in regulations and taxes that he says are driving small businesses and the middle class out of state.
He reiterated his central campaign theme that the state has the highest taxes in the country, the worst business climate and an 'anemic' economic recovery.
'We can't afford another four more years and another 400,000 people leaving this state under this gentleman's term.'
Cuomo said taxes on the middle class and corporations are at their lowest levels in decades.
And he hit Astorino's credibility, saying he failed to deliver on promises he made when he first ran for county executive to cut taxes by 20%. Instead, the county has the highest property taxes in the country and its credit rating was downgraded, Cuomo said.
'Rhetoric's fine; facts are better,' he said.
Cuomo got hit from the left and right for his delay in deciding whether to approve hydrofracking in the state's southern tier.
The hour-long debate at Buffalo's WNED-TV studio was the only one planned before voters head to the polls in less than two weeks.
While Astorino entered the debate looking to score damaging blows, Cuomo entered the session simply needing to avoid major mistakes and keep his famed temper under wraps as the race heads into its final days. Over the past few weeks, Cuomo seemed to employ a run-out-the-clock strategy, making several high-profile, but tightly controlled events that lowered the risk of a major gaffe.
While holding off Astorino on his right, Cuomo also needed fend off attacks on his left from Hawkins. Experts believe a strong showing by Hawkins next month could deprive Cuomo of the mammoth landslide he craves.
Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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