The Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, is getting almost universal praised for the way he is handling the coronavirus crisis. Many people are saying that other leaders should be modeling their response after Cuomo’s.
No matter what you think of his politics, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is modeling crisis leadership right now. Fact-based, blunt, knowledgeable, firm and calm. He is clear the responsibility lies with him and that there is a plan, that there will be pain but we must all share in it.
— Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) March 17, 2020
And Cuomo isn’t afraid to take responsibility for his actions. Today he remarked, “My judgment is do whatever’s necessary to contain this virus, and then we will manage the consequences afterwards. The old expression the buck stops on my desk? The buck stops on my desk.”
Mr. Cuomo has emerged as the executive best suited for the coronavirus crisis, as President Trump flails and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio wrestles haltingly with a crucial decision and then heads to the gym.
The governor has been the clearest and most decisive of the three, relentless behind the scenes and open about the risks. He has publicly worried over his daughters and his 88-year-old mother, and put state prisoners to work making hand sanitizer. He’s alternated between sweetness and confrontation with Mr. Trump, as he would with a wayward upstate legislator.
Even many of his critics say the very qualities that make him abrasive in ordinary interactions are serving him well now.
Not the biggest Andrew Cuomo fan but man I wish he was president right now.
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) March 16, 2020
Credit where it’s due — Democrats should take note from Andrew Cuomo’s last presser. That is how to omit politics and focus on what is needed. Informative and reasoned.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 17, 2020
Since the mid-90s, Andrew Cuomo & I have had our differences. But I must say that he has been an exemplary leader throughout the coronavirus crisis. His messages and slides are simple, clear, concise and consistent. Everything my team teaches. Keep it up, Gov. The US thanks you
— Mike Walker (@New_Narrative) March 17, 2020
Donald Trump has been criticizing Cuomo on Twitter, but even he seemed to change his tune on him today.
“We’re both doing a very good job,” Trump says of Gov. Cuomo, a day after the president tweeted that the governor has to “do more.” Trump said he and Cuomo had a good call today
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 17, 2020