Today's visit to Western New York by Governor Andrew Cuomo could be the most important public appearance of his career by Cuomo. As detailed in the New York Times last week, Cuomo is being accused of sicking his attack dogs on the now-defunct Moreland Commission, which Cuomo created to look into the widespread political corruption plaguing the state.
Since the Times piece appeared six days ago, Cuomo has been nowhere to be found. His silence has been deafening, and extremely out of character for the governor, who had never previously turned down an opportunity to get his face in front of the cameras.
Today's appearance at the University of Buffalo, which is intended to be an economic development announcement by Cuomo, is sure to be dominated by questions surrounding Cuomo's role in hindering the Moreland Commission. The $64,000 question is, will Cuomo step up and take responsibility for what is being alleged or will he duck and run? My guess is that he dances, if he even bothers to address any questions.
Cuomo is no dummy. He knows that U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is now in possession of the commission's documents. Any public statements he makes on this issue will be very closely monitored by Bharara, and any "inconsistencies" will be noted. That makes today's appearance in Buffalo, which would normally be another ho-hum dog and pony show, very interesting.
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