Coming up Short in Polls, Astorino Keeps Plugging Along
Down in the polls, at a severe fundraising disadvantage and campaigning in a state where many voters still don’t know who he is hasn’t seemed to curb Rob Astorino’s confidence and enthusiasm as he battles incumbent Andrew Cuomo for the office of New York State Governor this November.
On July 28, Astorino, the Westchester County Executive, made a pit stop in Putnam County to speak at a SAFE Act Forum at the Paladin Center in Carmel. In front of more than 200 people, in which one resident called Astorino “our last hope,” the Republican nominated candidate discussed a wide array of topics, exuding a swagger not associated with a candidate more than 30 points in polling behind his Democratic counterpart.
When asked how significant polling data is—a recent July 21 Siena poll revealed Astorino was down 37 points—Astorino responded, “Not at all.”
The forum was primarily focused on the SAFE Act, a set of gun laws championed by Cuomo, that has been heavily and fiercely criticized by Republicans and labeled anti-2nd amendment, but dipped into other issues including the Common Core learning standards, the business climate in New York, and especially Cuomo’s recent trouble with his alleged meddling in a anticorruption commission he set up and claimed would be independent.
Since a New York Times investigative piece came out two weeks ago that claimed Cuomo’s office interfered with the Moreland Commission and protected groups associated with the governor, roughly $500,000 in donations has come in the last two weeks.
“Really, the true Andrew Cuomo that everybody knows, the mask is off,” Astorino said. “Everybody is seeing what the inside has known.”
Astorino also said the US Attorney Preet Bharara, who is now looking into the defunct Moreland Commission, must finish his investigation before Election Day in November so voters have a clear answer as to if, and possibly how much Cuomo was involved in interfering with the commission.
Astorino is also calling for a special prosecutor to be appointed to investigate whether any state law were broken by Cuomo.
“I think currently there have to be two separate investigations done on this and it has to happen now,” he said. “And it has to be done expeditiously.
Addressing the SAFE Act, Astorino lambasted the law put into place shortly after the shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in 2012. In an interview following the forum, Astorino said he wants to “repeal the whole thing.”
While he would repeal the law, Astorino would push legislation that would address mental health issues and toughen gun crimes.
During the forum, he said “Cuomo’s biggest fear is the $6 million gun owners in this state.”
Putnam residents at the event expressed unwavering support for Astorino. Elected officials from Putnam in attendance included Sheriff Don Smith, County Executive MaryEllen Odell, Legislators Dini LoBue, Carl Albano, and Lou Tartaro. Assemblyman Steve Katz, as well as 40th district senate Republican candidates Terrence Murphy and Bob Castelli were all also at the forum.
Odell said in an interview afterward Astorino has a “good feel” for what people on New York want in a candidate.
She also compared Astorino’s run to Republican and former Governor George Pataki’s run for office in 1994 against Cuomo’s father Mario Cuomo. Pataki was down by double-digits, according to polling the Friday before Election Day, Odell said, but ultimately topped Cuomo.
“You’d be surprised what people will do when they get behind the curtain,” Odell said. “When they make that final decision.”
Brewster resident Jack Gress has volunteered and donated to Astorino’s campaign and said Republicans have a winner with Astorino.
“There’s no way Cuomo can beat him,” Gress said. “If we don’t get Rob Astorino, we’re in trouble.”
As for Astorino, he ended his talk with Putnam voters with a stern prediction.
“This is what’s going to be the greatest comeback in this state’s history,” Astorino said. “This is what’s going to end the reign of Andrew Cuomo.”
