← Straight Shooter with Stephen A.
Straight Shooter with Stephen A.
Interview Only: Andrew Cuomo plots a comeback in New York City.
00:47:38
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- [00:00]
Greg Rosenthal
What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [00:31]
Andrew Cuomo
What's up, everyone? Julie Swerbinks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson. We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go. The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb. Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right? Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us. Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe. Listen to Energy Line with Nate and.
- [00:57]
Stephen A. Smith
Jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts.
- [01:00]
Andrew Cuomo
Or wherever you get your podcasts. New York City is the greatest city in the world. There is no other place like it. And as in life, we have had times when we are at our shining best. And there are times when we struggle and endure great hardship. But we also know that we can handle a crisis because we have. Did I always do everything right in my years of government service? Of course not. Would I do some things differently, knowing what I know now? Certainly. Did I make mistakes some Painfully? Definitely. And I believe I learned from them and that I am a better person for it. And I hope to show you that every day. It won't be easy, but I know we can turn the city around. And I believe I can help. And that is why I announced my candidacy today for mayor of New York City.
- [02:05]
Stephen A. Smith
Welcome back to the Stephen A. Smith Show. My next guest served as the 56th governor of the great state of New York from 2011 until his resignation in 2021. After three and a half years out of the spotlight, he's aiming for a political comeback. Please welcome the former governor of the great state of New York, the one and only Andrew Cuomo. Welcome to the show, sir. How are you?
- [02:28]
Andrew Cuomo
I'm doing very well. Good to see you. And the pleasure is mine.
- [02:32]
Stephen A. Smith
Pleasure is mine as well. First things first, I have to congratulate you on a beautiful blue suit. You look a hell of a lot better than your brother Chris. I Just want to get out of the way. I want to get out. Get that out of the way first. Okay. Anything.
- [02:44]
Andrew Cuomo
That's not saying a heck of a lot, but thank you.
- [02:47]
Stephen A. Smith
I got you. You know that 17 minute video? There was a 17 minute video on Saturday where you announced that you was running for the mayor of New York. Why is now the right time to return to politics in your eyes, sir?
- [03:00]
Andrew Cuomo
Well, you know, I wasn't planning on returning to politics, Stephen. I was. I did my tour of duty and then some. I was Housing and Urban Development Secretary in the Clinton administration for eight years. New York Attorney General, I was governor. And then I found out there was something called life, you know, after working in public service so hard all my life. And I was. I had a good few years spending time with family, doing some traveling. I was enjoying myself. But I am really worried about what's happening in New York City, frankly, not just New York City, cities all across the nation. But I'm worried about what's happening in New York City. And I was HUD secretary, as I mentioned. I know cities, I know the trajectory of cities, and the trajectory is not good for New York City. You know, post Covid, people can be anywhere, Stephen. They don't have to be in a city. It's not like the old days where you're captured. They can move, they can do remote work, they can do zoom. And if you, if you can stay home and do that well, then maybe you can move to North Carolina, you can move to Florida, you can move to Colorado. So the dynamics have changed, and then the quality of life in New York City has really deteriorated, and you're paying a lot of taxes to be here. You put those factors together and it is a bad situation for New York and it has to turn around and has to turn around quickly.
- [04:33]
Stephen A. Smith
How do you think it got to this point in your estimation over the last few years? What would you attribute it to? The state of affairs in New York?
- [04:41]
Andrew Cuomo
Yeah, it's a good question, Stephen. And I think it's something the Democratic Party has to think about and reflect upon. Put Covid aside, okay? Because Covid was a transformation nationwide, worldwide, a societal transformation. But there's been a shift in philosophy here in New York City and other cities. But you've had this move Starting in about 2020, an anti police movement, right? Cut the funding for the police. Police are bad. We have thousands fewer police today than we had. Well, that has consequences. You cut the police, don't be surprised when crime goes up. You cut the police. Don't be surprised when people are afraid to go into the because of the rate of crime. We have a mentally ill homeless problem, people who are mentally ill, dangerously mentally ill to themselves and to others. But there's been a philosophy change where we don't enforce the law the same way. And frankly, we do no one a favor. Right. Because if a person is mentally ill, the wrong thing to do is actually leave them on the street. The right thing to do, quote, unquote, right thing to do is to get them the help they need. So this is. There's been a philosophical change. They call it, quote, unquote, progressive. I think it's anything but progressive. I think it's regressive, and I think that's contributed to it.
- [06:17]
Stephen A. Smith
You've been on the record and you've tackled the progressive side on quite a few occasions in your career. There's, you know, that's a matter of record. What makes you believe that you're going to be equally, if not more so successful as the mayor than you were as governor, tackling not just the issues, but those people who obviously support issues that you may not support even on the left?
- [06:42]
Andrew Cuomo
Yeah, well, let's separate the two issues. All right? First of all, took on the progressives. I believe I am a progressive. Right. That word progressive has been distorted and misused. That's not a new term. That's not the term they came up with a few years ago. Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I have a great poster. Franklin Delano Roosevelt for progressive government. FDR actually took it from Teddy Roosevelt, who talked about progressive government. So progressive government has been established. My father was a progressive. Barack Obama was a progressive. Bill Clinton was a progressive. And it meant, look at the word it stated for making progress, not this theoretical, abstract argument, for the sake of argument, make progress. As governor, I made progress past marriage equality. First Big State changed the whole conversation. Nationwide, $15. Highest minimum wage in the United States of America. So no one did the progressive things that we did, and we got them done. New LaGuardia Airport, new Moynihan train station, et cetera. So making government work, making progress, that's what a progressive is all about. It's not about being anti police. It's not about leaving mentally ill homeless people on the street. It's not about being antisemitic. We have this DSA which spews antisemitism, which just releases a toxic chemical into the environment. That's not progressive in my mind.
- [08:29]
Stephen A. Smith
You know, I asked just a couple, a few weeks ago, the mayor of New York, Mr. Eric Adams was here in studio with me, and I asked him a question pertaining to you and the possibility of going up against you in light of some of the things that you've accomplished. You brought it up. Marriage Equality Act, 2011, fiscal reforms, infrastructure modernization, gun control legislation, 2013, the minimum wage increase in paid family leave. All of these things under your umbrella as governor of New York, just to name a few. So going up against you, you would be a formidable foe, to say the least, because he intends to run for reelection, of course. I want you to watch my question to him and how he responds. Take a look. Let's think positive.
- [09:12]
Andrew Cuomo
Yes.
- [09:12]
Stephen A. Smith
Let's say these allegations are gonna go away. Your issues, campaign, you know, fraud and campaign finance, all of this stuff. We don't do away with all of that. It's you against Andrew Cuomo for the mayor of New York. I'm a sports guy. I like competition. I mean, what kind of prediction would you put forth if you got. If you had yourself, if you found yourself in a position where you were going up against Andrew Cuomo for the mayor, for the mayor's position, for His Honor's position in the city of New York? Well, listen, I think that, to me, and this is how I run my life. I'm not running against Andrew Cuomo or any of the other candidates. I'm running against myself. Play my best game. If I play my best game, it doesn't matter who's in the race, because there's other candidates in the race. And what I've learned in electoral politics right now, we're in the preseason, you know, we're not in the playoffs. When you're in the playoffs, your game has to be different. You could be great, you know, in the season, but when you get in the playoff, let's see what you're made of. Now, Andrew Cuomo, we know about the allegations that have been levied against Mayor Adams. We know that the DOJ stepped in, took the case from the Southern state of New York. And the criticism that he has received in light of just a lot of people are accusing him of sort of being in bed with the Trump administration. How much of a role, if any, did that play in you deciding to join this race to capture the mayor's seat for New York City?
- [10:44]
Andrew Cuomo
Yeah, Stephen, it didn't really. I've been watching what's been happening to New York City and what's going on and this new philosophy that has taken over in New York City, besides from the mayor, frankly, what the other candidates have been saying and I agree with the mayor. You know, it's not about anyone else. I'm here to tell voters what I think I would do and what I think the problems are. And my record and my experience of actually getting things done, which is everything. You know, first, it's interesting, when it comes to the government, people don't factor in experience. Right. If you hire a plumber, you want to make sure the plumber has experience. You hire a landscaper, the landscaper has experienced. But you can hire a chief executive who never ran anything before. Right? So let's talk about experience. Let's talk about a record of getting things done. And you just started to go through it. I don't think there's been a governor in modern political history that has accomplished more things than I have accomplished. And that's what's getting it done is about. Right? It's about getting it done. Making change. Let people feel this progress, improve my life is what they're saying. And then juxtapose that with this. What the other candidates are saying. They're anti cop, they've allowed this homeless, what I think is just a human tragedy, to continue and go on the affordability crisis. They can't figure out how to build affordable housing. It's bricks and mortar. You put them together and you put another stack and then you have affordable housing. You know, there's this, this incompetence and apathy that is pervasive and that's what's turning people off. Let's go progressive government. Okay. Make progress, do something. Right. It comes back to Queens, Steve.
- [12:45]
Stephen A. Smith
Yeah, that's right.
- [12:47]
Andrew Cuomo
Do something for me. Let me see some results. You either produce or you don't. And I'm a producer.
- [12:55]
Stephen A. Smith
You are a producer. You're a three term governor. You were in line to be, to get a fourth term. All right? Which I think would have tied Rockefeller for the record in New York State or potentially to be President of the United States. But obviously there's a couple of things that derailed you. One of the things that came to mind was the whole nursing home crisis in the after, you know, during COVID and how there was a. The deaths were understated and it was under your administration and you took hits for that. Explain that to our audience right now. How much culpability and blame do you believe you deserved and what role do you believe that ultimately played in you ultimately departing from the governor's position for the New York, the state of New York?
- [13:42]
Andrew Cuomo
Yeah. Let's go back to Covid. COVID 19. First, it was a situation like we had never seen before. Obviously, none of us, and no one really knew what to do. I had the best health officials on the globe, Stephen, working with us because New York had Covid first and worst, right, because the planes were bringing it from Europe to New York for months, and nobody knew. So I had the best health officials that you could get, but nobody really knew what to do. And the worst manifestation of COVID was in the nursing homes. And this was a horrific situation. And God forbid anyone should have ever have to go through this again in the nursing homes. We had to close visitation because we were afraid more people would bring in the virus. So you couldn't visit loved ones. And you had many people dying in nursing homes because obviously Covid preyed on the weak and the immune compromised, and that was nursing homes. So you had people dying in nursing homes, they couldn't see their family. Even though they were at the end of their life. The families couldn't say goodbye. I mean, it was just as painful a human situation that you could imagine. And I lived it. I was there. It traumatized me. It traumatized many. The health officials were making the best decisions that they could. I believe that federal officials, the state officials, were making the best decisions they could. They were trying to figure out what the right quarantine period was. At first they said it was seven days, and then they could release people to nursing homes or back home. Then they extended it later on. I believe everybody was doing everything they could and they just didn't have enough knowledge. But then, surprise, surprise, there was an election year and it became very politicized. And the Republicans blame the Democrats and the Democratic governors, and the Democrats blamed the Republicans, and the president wasn't doing enough. And then there were lawsuits and there were investigations, and the department of justice investigated it. You were. The Manhattan district attorney did an investigation, the attorney general did an investigation. Everybody did an investigation. And at the end of the day, everybody comes to the same basic conclusion, which is everyone did what they could, and the health officials did what they thought was right at the right time. But many people died in nursing homes. The bottom, bottom line for the state of New York, and to cut through all the politics, they then count how many people died in nursing homes per 100. Okay? So it's apples and apples. Big state, small state. For every 100 people in nursing homes, how many died? State of New York is number 38, which means only 12 states had a lower rate of death, death than New York. And that is saying something, Stephen, because, you know, we had it first, and other states had months to prepare. It just fell out of the sky for New Yorkers. But those are federal numbers, the rate of death in nursing homes. We ranked number 38. I would have liked to be number 50, but 38. Only 12 states had a lower rate of death. I think that says New York officials, health officials, not only did their job, but did it well.
- [17:56]
Stephen A. Smith
But respectfully, sir, they. They seem to be coming at you because they used the word undercounted. And what they said was that it was undercounted because at that particular moment in time, your star had ascended to another level. You were given the daily press conferences with COVID 19, and what was transpiring. You were the most articulate voice in a lot of people's eyes. On the rest, it got to a point where people. The only person people wanted to hear from more than you was Dr. Anthony Fauci. And that's because they were hoping he would come up with a vaccine, for crying out loud. I mean, it got to that point, and that's where the word politicized or politicization came into play, because they felt that for political purposes, you had undercounted. And to that, as you reflect on that, was that a mistake in any way? Was there anything that you could look back on and say, maybe I should have done something different to make sure they couldn't come at me with those accusations?
- [18:51]
Andrew Cuomo
Yeah. Two quick points. First, on the undercounting. Did New York undercount? Now, when all the counting is done, right, it's over. It's been over for years. All the counting is done. People died in nursing homes. People who died outside of nursing homes, people who are in nursing homes and went to hospitals and died. People who died. All the counting is done. That's where the 38 number comes from. So under count, over count, that's where the 38 comes from. Where the number 38. Only 12 states did better. What could I have done differently, in retrospect? When it became political, Stephen, then I. I partially resented the politicalization of it, if you will. We were doing everything we can. We could at that time to save lives. And now you want to play politics and you want to start with a Department of justice investigation in the middle of this crisis? I did resent the injection of politics, and I was probably not as communicative as I should have been because I thought it was political. And I resented the. As I said that politics was entering what was the most significant crisis of a generation.
- [20:23]
Stephen A. Smith
So I would say that that was January of 2021. In February of 2021, that's when the cascade of sexual harassment allegations came in your direction and people were accusing you of sexual harassment. I think there were like 11 different allegations levied against you. And then March of 2021, state legislators begin an impeachment investigation. You've spoken about that on several occasions. As you've reflected upon that, you also hinted, if not flat out said you thought that was being politicized as well. As you reflect on that now, what are your feelings reflecting back on that point in time?
- [21:02]
Andrew Cuomo
Well, that was about three years ago, right, Stephen? And sometimes time brings out the truth. I said at that time that as you said correctly, so number of women made claims about inappropriate behavior. A report was issued. I said that was a political report. It was politically motivated and politically done. It was also a hyper political time, if you remember. But I said it was a political report. That was three years ago. Since then, everyone and their brother has investigated those claims literally for to the tune of millions and millions of dollars. And nothing has come from any of them. So time brings out the truth. I said at that time it was political. And three years later, millions of dollars later, in terms of people investigating complaints, nothing has come from any of those complaints. You know, my opponents want to talk about the past because they don't want to talk about the present. And they don't want to talk about the city and the condition that the city is in and what they have done to the city with this anti cop reduction of the police force. We've gotten to a place in New York City, Stephen. People don't even apply for the job to be police officer anymore. That's how much we have devalued the police and diminished the police. New Yorkers today just walk past homeless people who are clearly mentally ill. They walk past them like they don't see them. You know, it's really a horrific state of affairs.
- [23:09]
Stephen A. Smith
I want to get a bit more personal if that's entirely possible from this perspective. Perspective. I'm from Queens, New York, you know, obviously you are as well. And my parents grew up Cuomo fans. Mario Cuomo, your late dad, God rest his wonderful soul, what a phenomenal governor he was for the state of New York and what have you. Everybody loved the Cuomos, and I'm thinking about his years of service, and I'm thinking about your years of service. How did it make you feel to have to depart from office in that fashion? And how long did it take you to get to A point where you, dare I say, was your old self again, to some degree in terms of wanting, having a fervor for politics and a passion for politics again. Talk about what that did to you.
- [24:05]
Andrew Cuomo
Yeah, well, look, my father was my hero, right? I started in politics with my father. I was in my 20s. I was his campaign manager for his campaign to become governor. I was 24, 25 years old, and I was his advisor all through his term. He then helped me in my campaign, and he was an advisor to me until we lost him. I would say that he would have advised me to do what I did at the time, because public service comes first. And you had this political fervor that you referred to and the legislature, you know that especially at that time, any claim of any sexual impropriety took off like fire through dry grass. Right? And as you mentioned, the legislature was talking about impeachment, and there is no real impeachment process in New York. So you would have entered into a period of chaos that we, like, that was like nothing we had ever seen before. Okay? And that is the last thing my father would have ever suggested that I do. It's about public service. It's about the state. If this is going to cause chaos and stop the government from functioning, then step aside so the government can function, because the government and public service comes first. That's the oath. That's the value. That's the priority. That's what he would have said. He would have said, step this. Step aside and then go figure it out and find out the facts. Because when they announced the report, I hadn't even heard of the women that they were mentioning. So I wasn't even in a position to defend myself because I hadn't even heard of a lot of these women. Right? So he would have said, step aside, let the government function, then do your work and get out the facts, which we did. And then if you. He would have said. I think in this moment, I think he would have said, new York City is in trouble. You know how to do this. You've proven you can do this. The right thing to do, right? We're from Queens. There's a right thing. You can't define it, but you feel it in your gut, you feel it in your heart, your soul. The right thing to do is to step in and be helpful, because I spent my life doing this. And making change in government isn't easy. And it's not for the faint of heart, Stephen. It is not. It is hard to make change. And you get. There's Opposition from every angle. You go to change a light bulb in New York City, and there's going to be a committee that opposes the changing of light bulbs, I guarantee you. So it's not for the faint of heart, but I know how to do it. And I think he would say, the city's in trouble and you have an obligation to step up.
- [27:48]
Stephen A. Smith
If that had not happened, would you have run for president?
- [27:52]
Andrew Cuomo
If, if, if. No, I would get a big show like you have.
- [27:59]
Stephen A. Smith
I don't think so. It's a small show.
- [28:01]
Andrew Cuomo
It's climbing.
- [28:01]
Stephen A. Smith
It's climbing, but it's a big show. Sir, I gotta ask you, you know, right now, some have said, we do not need a return of a Cuomo. They've questioned whether or not you're someone who could be trusted as a voter in New York City. To them, you say, what?
- [28:24]
Andrew Cuomo
Well, I say it depends on what you want. If you want someone to play nice with the other politicians, go along, get along. Don't ruffle any feathers. Don't really make any change. Just talk about making change. Propose things, but leave things alone. Continue the status quo. I am not your guy. That's not what I do. If what you're saying is. Or if what the voter says is, I'm worried about New York. I think the city's in trouble. I'm anxious. I'm anxious about the subways. I'm anxious about the crime. I'm anxious about the homeless, mentally ill on the streets. I'm anxious that there's no affordable housing. I can't afford to live here. I'm getting priced out of New York. I need someone who can actually get something done. I'm tired of these politicians. Promise, promise, promise. And then nothing changes. And I want someone who has proven their ability to actually make things happen, then I'm your person.
- [29:35]
Stephen A. Smith
The governor is the leader of a state. The mayor's the leader of a city. You've been the leader of the state of New York for three terms. Why the mayor's position as opposed to pursuing a return to the governor's seat?
- [29:49]
Andrew Cuomo
Well, again, I wasn't considering pursuing returning, period. I was enjoying my life. I was going to go fishing and make fun of my little brother. That was my plan. So it's not that I'm getting back in politics. To me, Stephen, New York City at this moment is in trouble. And I think I can help because I've done this all my life, and I know these issues and these problems, and I know how to make change. So it's about helping New York City in this moment. It's not about me wanting to reenter politics generally. It was, how do I help in this moment? And look, I am Queens and HUD secretary. I was in every state in the United States, literally. I worked with cities all across the nation. I worked. I've been in 22 countries. There is nothing like New York. And I love it. I mean, I just love it. I love everything about it. It is who I am. It made my father, it made my grandfather. It's in my blood. And to see it suffering and to see it declining. Look, my father, your father handed you New York City and said, this is a gift that I am leaving you. Beautiful New York City. Everybody around the world wants to come here. I'm leaving it to you. I'm putting it in your hands. And they placed New York City in our hands in turn, we are going to turn around and hand New York City to the next generation. And I want to make sure that I hand over to my children, my three girls, a New York City that is at least as good as the New York City that I inherited. And really, I would like to hand them a New York City that is better. That, for me, is what this is all about. I've been up, I've been down, I've been all around. I was rumors for President, rumors for this, rumors for that. It's all garbage. At the end of the day, Stephen, what did you accomplish? What difference did you make in people's lives? What exists but for you being here? That's what it's about. And I believe I can make a difference in New York.
- [32:39]
Stephen A. Smith
How are you going to pull this off with the Trump administration and the White House? How would you pull that off for New York City?
- [32:46]
Andrew Cuomo
Well, Donald Trump is from New York City and he knows our problems here. He knows we need federal help. I dealt with him as governor, remember? So there was a lot of back and forth. He's another one from Queens.
- [33:04]
Stephen A. Smith
Yes, he is. Yes, he is.
- [33:06]
Andrew Cuomo
Three of us Queens boys. So I dealt with him as governor. He knows our situation. He knows the situation in New York City. It is his hometown. I think that he wants New York City to appreciate him. I think he thinks there's an opportunity for him to do good things in New York City. And really, we have to see what he does, what posture President Trump takes. And if you want to be an optimist, you say he's going to say New York is his hometown and he wants to help. And to be honest, I've been on the Right side of President Trump. I've been on the wrong side of President Trump. So I think it's. It's up to the president, and it's up to the posture that he declares vis a vis New York. You know, what does he do with the budget? What does he do with Medicaid, what does he do with housing money? Because the federal government is entirely impactful on New York. So I think it's up to him and what he does and will respond to that.
- [34:21]
Stephen A. Smith
What would a Cuomo administration in New York City, in the mayor's seat, how would that differ from the present state of affairs with the Adams administration, or at least the perception that the Adams administration has now with the White House? How would the Cuomo relationship with the White House be different, in your estimation?
- [34:44]
Andrew Cuomo
Well, I think what happened with the Adams administration is a very particular set of circumstances and facts. Right. You went to a clip of Mayor Adams. This is. I've never seen this unique a situation where the mayor was facing a criminal situation that was federal, and the president then worked with him on those federal charges. So I don't know that we ever see that again. But that is a truly unique situation that Mayor Adams and President Trump had.
- [35:30]
Stephen A. Smith
Do you believe he severely compromised being the mayor right now because of his situation, which makes it obviously easier for you to compete against him for the upcoming election?
- [35:42]
Andrew Cuomo
Well, you would have to ask Mayor Adams that question. I know it's a complicated transaction that they entered into, but how the mayor feels about that, whether or not he's constrained by that, that's a question for Mayor Adams to answer.
- [35:59]
Stephen A. Smith
You've been known as a governor. When you were in the governor's seat, you've been known as somebody you would ruffle feathers to get things done. You were stern. You didn't play any games. You were about your business. You wanted to get things done, and you didn't give a damn whether you made friends or enemies along the way. Do you believe you'd have to be more of that person to get things done in New York or less?
- [36:24]
Andrew Cuomo
Well, I think it's a good question and it's one I've thought about. We got a lot done. And as I said, Stephen, there is no easy way to get big things done. LaGuardia Airport. They opposed me. Moynihan train station. There was opposition. Second Avenue Subway. There was opposition.
- [36:46]
Stephen A. Smith
Right.
- [36:48]
Andrew Cuomo
Happens a bridge. There was opposition. By definition. You go to build anything and there's going to be opposition. If you faint from that opposition or if you're a Politician. And you say, look, I don't want any opposition. I want everyone to like me because I want everyone to vote for me, which, by the way, is a posture of most politicians. Then you get nothing done. And you've had generation after generation after generation of people getting nothing done. And that's why the people say, I don't believe any of these guys. They run for office, they promise everything, and then they do nothing. Look outside. What do you see that is new and different? So I purposefully was very productive, and I purposefully pushed through projects. And was it. Was it hard to get it done? Yes. Did I ruffle feathers? No doubt. Can you do these things without ruffling feathers? I do not believe you can. I do not believe you can. And I've been in federal government, city government, state government. I don't believe you can. Having said that, I think in retrospect, could I have been more patient? Yes. And did I become impatient with the bureaucracy and with the local politics and the obstacles? Yes, I did become impatient because I could see so clearly what we could get done but for these bumps in the road. And I did become impatient. And as my grandmother used to say to me when I was young in Italian, patience, patience. And I think I would bring more patience to the job. I would hope to be as productive, but with more patience.
- [39:00]
Stephen A. Smith
Productive as a governor, had folks fantasizing about you being the President of the United States of America, which obviously is a loftier position, the mayor, even being the mayor of New York City. There are those out there, yes, there are critics, but there are also those who fervently support you that may wonder, is that seat too small for Andrew Cuomo because of who he is and who he has been and who we aspired for him to be? What do you say to people that have that question about you?
- [39:38]
Andrew Cuomo
I'm gonna bring a big seat to the office, Steve. I'm gonna have a big seat. I'm not gonna have a small seat. I say, look, I have one goal, which is trying and succeeding in making a difference for New York City today. And by the way, as I. As I said in my announcement video that you played, this is not going to be easy. Right? Hiring more police, getting the mentally ill off the streets, dealing with a migrant situation, cleaning up the subways, building affordable housing. None of this is easy. This is all hard. So that's the job at hand. That's the focus. Right. Run with blinders on. That's all I'm focused on. That's all I want to Do. If I do that, I'm happy.
- [40:39]
Stephen A. Smith
What would be your number one priority as mayor of New York with all the issues that you highlight, is one. Is there one issue that stands out above the crowd?
- [40:48]
Andrew Cuomo
Public safety. Public safety. Public safety. If people don't feel safe, nothing works. Nothing works. If you don't feel safe, you don't go to the restaurant. If you don't feel safe, the tourist doesn't come to go to the place. If you don't feel safe, you don't come into the office. You stay home and you do remote work. So you have to feel safe. That's why the old expression public safety is job one for government. It's true. You have to feel safe. And that. That is the foundation for everything else.
- [41:21]
Stephen A. Smith
What does that mean? More police officers? What does that mean exactly?
- [41:24]
Andrew Cuomo
Part of it is more police officers, and part of it is a change in the philosophy that we understand. If you don't enforce rules, you have chaos. Right. Nobody wants to see anybody go to jail. Nobody. And by the way, I closed more prisons than any governor in history. All right, so nobody wants to see anybody go to jail. But you go too far to the other extreme. You know, that pendulum swings too far to the other extreme. Well, we don't want anyone to go to jail. Well, then you have chaos, and that's what we have on the streets.
- [42:08]
Stephen A. Smith
Now, in my opinion, what about the issue of immigration? I mean, that in some people's eyes, that can tie into it, certainly in Trump's eyes, because that's one of the things he wanted Adams to address, which is why the DOJ presumably intervened with the case against Adams. For crying out loud, how high on your priority list is the immigration issue in New York City?
- [42:26]
Andrew Cuomo
Well, fortunately, it's going to be lower because the numbers are going to drop. You know, in my opinion, I'm a Democrat. The President Biden and the administration mishandled the migrant problem. If you ask me what caused the election, I would say between inflation and the migrant problem, probably the migrant problem.
- [42:52]
Stephen A. Smith
Open borders.
- [42:54]
Andrew Cuomo
Yes. There was no plan. They knew what was going to happen. When you open the border border, you turn on the faucet, what's going to catch the water? What happens? Well, I'm just going to turn on the faucet and see what happens. No. So that problem spilled over. Pardon upon two cities. The governors put people on buses. It was a tremendous burden on New York City. $12 billion, if you believe anyone's numbers in this town, was spent on the migrants. But Trump has closed the border that number is dropped. The number of migrants in the city is dropping. So I think that issue is of new migrants is going to be dropping. The deportation issue will be rising, but that's a different issue.
- [43:50]
Stephen A. Smith
Andrew Cuomo, if you win and you are elected the mayor of New York City, is that the beginning for you? We could say it's a new beginning, but I guess what I'm asking is you stepped away. You talked about how comfortable you were while you were away, but now that you're getting back into the mix, can people expect you to stick around for a very, very long time? Or is it just a priority to fix New York City and then go into the sunset and hang out with your brother and try to compare suits with one another or something? What's the deal?
- [44:28]
Andrew Cuomo
First of all, my brother doesn't wear a suit. You know, he, I don't know what he wears. He wears like those Hawaiian flower shirts. And I don't know why you don't mention it when you're on the show with him, because he's clearly there. And what is that with the rolling up the sleeves? You know, either buy a short sleeve shirt or leave the shirt alone.
- [44:51]
Stephen A. Smith
He's trying to show his muscles and that he's ready, he's ready to throw down. That's what he's trying to do.
- [44:55]
Andrew Cuomo
That's what he's trying to say. Yeah, but you're there. You have to say, give me a break, will you? Put roll down your sleeves because you're starting to annoy me.
- [45:04]
Stephen A. Smith
So you're getting on him about rolling up the sleeves and you're getting on me for not getting on him. You're getting on both of us, Stephen.
- [45:09]
Andrew Cuomo
You have to push back on him. You have to push back on him. He keeps coming. He's a Queensboy. He's half a Queensbord. He's half Queens, half Albany. That's right. So look, I take, I've been through a lot and I now take everything with two grains of salt, right? I was a cabinet secretary, HUD secretary in line for the presidential. I was Attorney General, I was governor, rumored to be running for president. My father was going to run for president. You know what? It's all with two or three grains of salt. It doesn't mean anything. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what did you accomplish? Did you maximize your opportunity in public service? Did you actually give it your all? Did you make sure you made life better for people? And were you successful after that? Were you good to your Family, were you good to your friends? And the day is over. So that's what I'm looking to do.
- [46:22]
Stephen A. Smith
Forgive me for sneaking in this one last question, but you talked about the Biden administration making a mistake with immigration and open borders. Was there anything else you think they did wrong? Wrong that drastically affected the state of affairs that you're lamenting about the city of New York?
- [46:40]
Andrew Cuomo
Well, the migrant problem affected New York in a dramatic way and I think hurt the Democratic Party all across the nation. Number two, I think the way they handled President Biden running for president. I think the way the Democratic Party said, president Biden's fine, he's great. Everybody came out of that White House and said, thumbs up. I just met the President. He's great. He's doing well. He's stronger than his staff. And then the president shows up at the first debate, and I think the American people say, you know, you deceived us. And then Vice President Harris has to come in late and is now running a truncated race, and she has to tiptoe around President Biden and his policies. So I think inflation, migrants, the way people saw President Biden and felt they were deceived by the Democratic Party, that for the Democratic Party to be saying, we think President Biden should be president for another four years, I think that hurt the Democrats. And then practically, I think Vice President Harris having so little time hurt the.
- [48:01]
Stephen A. Smith
Democrats as the 56th governor of the great state of New York. I think the one thing all of us can undoubtedly acknowledge, we can't deny, is that if there's a problem, you know how to fix it. And now you're trying to be the mayor of New York City. Wishing you nothing but the best, sir. You know there's always a home here anytime you want to talk. I'm. I'm happy to have you on the show. Thank you so much for taking such time out of your busy schedule. And congratulations on campaigning for the mayor's position for the city of New York. Thank you so much, sir. Andrew Cuomo.
- [48:32]
Andrew Cuomo
Thank you for having me, Stephen. Pleasure.
- [48:41]
Greg Rosenthal
What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top one on one, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.
- [49:12]
Andrew Cuomo
What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson. We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go. The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb. Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right? Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us. Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe. Listen to Energy Line with Nate and.
- [49:38]
Stephen A. Smith
Jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts.
- [49:41]
Andrew Cuomo
Or wherever you get your podcasts.