Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a radio interview on Tuesday vociferously defended his track record as a progressive, arguing that he “is the left” in New York politics.
Cuomo in an interview with WAMC pointed to his successful efforts on issues like the $15 minimum wage in the New York City area, a newly approved sexual harassment law, and the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Cuomo, as he has done before, pointed to the root of the word “progressive.”
“I would challenge almost everything you just said, but to be selective and helpful and constructive – the, I am, I believe I am the most progressive, or one of the most progressive leaders in the state,” Cuomo said.
“It depends on how you define ‘progressive,; and that, my friend, should be the discussion in this Democratic presidential primary. What does that mean, ‘progressive’? OK we don’t want to say “liberal,” anymore so we say ‘progressive.’ How do you define ‘progressive’? By pontification, by rhetoric? By aspirational goals with no realistic plan or knowledge or analysis? And who, doctor, has actually gotten more done. See I like to say you can’t be a progressive without making progress.
Asked by host Alan Chartock if this was a “shot at the left” in New York, Cuomo turned it around.
Read more from the NY State of Politics blog
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