For this entry, the timeline is flipping the order of presentation between the New York Post and the Albany Times-Union in documenting the immediate reactions to Andrew M. Cuomo's resignation announcement. We've also collected a number of reports from these and other sources to capture the larger reaction to the announcement.
- Cuomo’s insulting resignation speech — self-serving to the end
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The editors of the New York Post picked up on Andrew M. Cuomo's almost trademark tone-deafness in his resignation announcement, which we're presenting in full:
It’s not me. It’s you.
That was Andrew Cuomo’s self-serving, tone-deaf resignation Tuesday. New Yorkers have always known he was a hugger, a kisser. But “the lines have shifted” so suddenly you can’t do that anymore, he said with a “Mad Men”-esque expression of shock. What’s a little groping between a boss and his aide? You can’t do that anymore??
Cuomo finally did the right thing, saying he was going to be out of office in 14 days. But despite his pleas of “I accept full responsibility,” he accepted none at all. He blamed a “hot” political environment. He blamed his enemies. He blamed Twitter. He claimed holding men to account was “unsustainable for society.”
Then he mansplained how much he’s done for New York, skipping over the nursing home fiasco, the book he forced his staff to work on, the disastrous bills he didn’t block.
He said it was “in the best interest” of New York state that he serve, but it was going to cost too much money and take too much effort to impeach him. No, he didn’t do anything wrong. It’s that it would be too much of a distraction to try him for it.
“You know me,” Cuomo said.
Yes, we do. You’re the egocentric governor who never accepted any blame, never showed a shred of regret, but attacked all his enemies with rabid hatred.
No, Andrew. It’s not us. It was always you.
- Listen: Hear from Cuomo's accuser and the editor who first reported the story
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At this writing, the Albany Times-Union's editors haven't yet posted an editorial reaction to Andrew M. Cuomo's resignation, but they have posted the equivalent of a victory lap, featuring their full interview with Brittany Commisso, which was influential in tipping the scales for Cuomo in choosing his resignation over fighting his impeachment.
One of the women who has accused embattled New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of sexual harassment is a current staffer named Brittany Commisso.
Referred to as "Executive Assistant #1" in State Attorney General Tish James' scathing report released last week, Commisso alleges the governor groped her at the Executive Mansion in November. She has come forward and identified herself this week in an exclusive interview with the Times Union and CBS News.
On this special episode of "The Eagle," we'll hear from Commisso herself, as well as from Capitol Bureau Managing Editor Brendan Lyons, who broke the initial story of Commisso's allegations in April.
Do click through to hear the full podcast interview.
Meanwhile, here's a roundup of other initial reactions on Cuomo's resignation:
- Reactions to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's resignation
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Reuters summarizes statements from a number of significant figures in New York politics.
- Bill De Blasio, Other Gubernatorial Hopefuls Reaction to Andrew Cuomo's Resignation
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Newsweek covered the reactions of outgoing New York City Mayor and long term Cuomo punching sack Bill de Blasio, as well as several candidates now running to replace Andrew M. Cuomo as New York Governor.
- Cuomo resignation garners reaction from Congress: ‘The right thing’
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The New York Post covers the reaction to Cuomo's resignation announcement from the U.S. Congress.
- Cuomo accusers rejoice over governor’s resignation: ‘Vindicated and relieved’
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The New York Daily News reports on the reaction from several of the women who accused Andrew M. Cuomo of sexually harassing them.
- Lawmakers say Cuomo's resignation inevitable and best for the state
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The Albany Times-Union presents the reaction of New York state lawmakers.
- Janice Dean 'in shock' after Andrew Cuomo's resignation: His 'corruptions run deep'
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Janice Dean has been one of the leading figures pushing to hold Andrew M. Cuomo accountable for the hundreds, if not thousands, of excess deaths among nursing home residents resulting from his administration's deadly 25 March 2020 directive. Dean argues that investigation must continue.
On a side note, it can be argued the sexual harassment allegations that have toppled Cuomo from power were pushed to limit the political damage to members of the state Democratic Party from Cuomo's COVID nursing home deaths scandals.
- NY Assemblyman Kim on Cuomo resignation: ‘Relieved, grateful and worried’
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WPIX reports on NY Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Queens) reaction to Cuomo's resignation. Like Dean, Kim wants to pursue an investigation of the Cuomo administration's role in contributing to COVID deaths of nursing home residents.
- New Yorkers React to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Resignation
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CBS New York is covering the reaction of regular New Yorkers to the news of Cuomo's resignation announcement. Their video coverage is embedded below.
The timeline had expected Andrew M. Cuomo's resignation announcement would be made on Monday, 9 August 2021, which is why we delayed our coverage of Brittany Commisso's interview discussing the incidents of Cuomo's sexual harassment she alleged. We think the interview represented the tipping point for determining Andrew M. Cuomo's decision to announce his resignation rather than continue fighting his impeachment.
