New York City Mayor Eric Adams pushed back Thursday against the suggestion there was anything wrong with his dinner this week with former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned amid allegations of harassment last summer.
“I was clear that Governor Cuomo should have stepped down when he did, and I don’t step away from that position,” Adams said on CNN’s “New Day.”
He added, “But I am not going to leave any stones unturned in getting my city back under control to deal with violence, our economy, and how to navigate all of the lawmakers in this city and state.”
The New York Post reported that Adams and Cuomo shared a two-hour dinner Tuesday at a Manhattan restaurant, Osteria La Baia, where patrons greeted the former governor warmly before the two politicians retreated to a private room.
Adams, a Democrat who took office Jan. 1, said he has met with current and former elected officials including ex-mayors Mike Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio as he seeks advice on governing.
“I sit down with elected officials all over this country to find out how do we deal with the solutions,” he said.
Cuomo, also a Democrat, resigned in August after a report from the state’s attorney general found he had harassed at least 11 women. Cuomo denied intentionally mistreating any of the women but said he would step down in order to avoid subjecting the state to months of turmoil.
Asked whether he expressed his concerns about the former governor’s behavior during their dinner, Adams said he was “not going to go into private conversations.”
(AP)
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8 Responses
Its notable that he didnt meet with the person that has actual experience with taking NYC out from its current former mayor Rudy Giuliani
In my opinion it was a very smart idea for him to meet coumo. Coumo did so much good for this state including taking the plague seriously and mandating science based rules. And just because allegations came out against him ( which by the way the presecuters announced this week that they’re not pursuing based on the details) that doesn’t mean we should ignore all the good work and all the good advice he can give.
But no mention of meeting the best mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani who actually helped the city deal with crime and violence. Oh no not him. Politician.
It’s not a big deal. The reality is that he was the Governor for a long time, and definitely has insight how to navigate New York, so it shouldn’t even be a big deal.
He should be talking to EVERYONE who has any insights on the current issues in NY and apply the appropriate discount factor to their views. I personally find both Cuomos to be vile human beings but the Governor was effective on some issues and his views are important. If I was Adams, I would also meet with everyone from Bloomberg to AOC and any other political leaders. Adams is a relative newbie in politics and has a lot to learn.
While it’s probably true that Adams was happy to meet with Cuomo because of the “star association” effect (given his recent foolish meanderings regarding his tight “friendship” with the bungling demented Biden), one can’t fault him for conversing with the former Governor, since he recognizes (thankfully!) that he is new to the job and needs to figure out what works and what doesn’t. So we should give him a break on this one.
*state
What a nothingburger. Mayor Adams can meet and have dinner with whomever he wants. Friend or foe. So can you and me. It’s a free country (except for mask wearing on plane flights). Cuomo wasn’t charged with a single crime. The DA, State Assembly, & State Senate, all said he didn’t nothing wrong. They all left him off the hook. I don’t like the former Governor, but this “shocking breaking news” is stupid. Journalism at its worst.