All eyes are on Andrew Cuomo

Jerry Kremer

There’s usually a lot of guessing when it comes to a new governor. Does he have a plan? Does he understand the dynamics of the Capitol? Is he captive to any group that gave him financial support? Will he be independent enough to make tough decisions?

Over the past 60 years the state has seen a great mix of personalities elected to represent the people of New York state in the governor’s mansion. Gov. Averell Harriman, who served in the early 1960s, was a patrician figure who was at home whether he was seated in the Kremlin or in Albany.

Things were easy during his term in office, as the state was flush with cash; voters chose Harriman more because he looked like a governor than for what he would be as the state’s leader. He mixed as easily with political bosses as he did with foreign ambassadors. In short, he fit the movie directors’ vision of what a governor had to be.

Nelson Rockefeller came into office with ambitious plans for New York state because his real dream was to occupy the White House, and New York was the steppingstone to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Rockefeller got most of what he wanted, including dramatic new buildings and big and costly programs.

Hugh Carey, a former member of Congress, was elected during the dark days of the state’s economy. He was a player in Washington, and voters felt he would be a breath of fresh air in a troubled state. Carey performed brilliantly during the fiscal crises and is said by some to have been one of the best governors ever.

Mario Cuomo brought passion to the office, and was lucky that the state’s fiscal picture was better, which allowed him to get many programs passed and funded. He is best remembered for being the most articulate governor in recent memory.

George Pataki became governor because he wasn’t Mario Cuomo. All New York governors eventually learn that two terms are a blessing and three terms are a curse. Pataki was competent, but like many before him, he harbored a dream that Albany was the anteroom to the White House. He too never made it there.