But when it became clear that the state assembly intended to seek impeachment, the situation became less tenable. Under New York rules, if a governor is impeached in the assembly, he or she must step aside even before the Senate trial reaches a verdict. Mr. Cuomo, accustomed to semblance of power, would have loathed going to trial as an ordinary citizen, say people who know him.
“Today was all about buying him 14 days to see the next stage of his life, as opposed to an impeachment vote that would have resulted in his immediate removal from his actual home and from the Executive Chamber,” said state Senator Todd Kaminsky, of Nassau. Democratic county.
“He wants to leave on his own terms, he wants it to be as comfortable and less embarrassing as possible, and he’s bought himself 14 days to do it,” he added. “I don’t think voters feel any difference about the actions, the disgusting behavior, in the attorney general’s report.”
Asked if Mr. Cuomo could run again, Mr. Kaminsky replied, “I don’t think so at all.”
Just before Mr Cuomo spoke on Tuesday, his attorney, Rita Glavin, presented a extended showCriticizing the news media and linking it to the details of the report.
Having laid the foundation, Mr. Cuomo came to his defense. He claimed that the political environment was to blame for his predicament.
Even on the verge of resigning, Mr. Cuomo seemed to believe he could have won the court of public opinion, had he had more time.
“This is about politics, and our political system today is often driven by extremism: impulse has replaced reasonableness, and the voice of voice has replaced health,” he said. “If I could communicate the facts through madness, New Yorkers would understand. I think so.”
Representative Richie Torres, a Democrat from the Bronx, likened Mr. Cuomo’s trajectory to a Greek tragedy.
He said, “It is the most severe collapse in the history of the ruler’s policies.” “And as with all Greek tragedies, arrogance is of the essence.”
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