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Why Zephyr Teachout Can and Should Beat Andrew Cuomo

Over the last few weeks the public has rapidly discerned what readers of WestView have known for months: Andrew Cuomo is facing a serious, grounded, progressive opponent who might just make a better governor than he is. This insurgency has caught fire in recent weeks, and Zephyr’s candidacy is becoming known to more and more people. The more people hear, the more they like.

Lots of people don’t like Andrew Cuomo. Fervent supporters are few and far between. When was the last time you heard someone give an inspired speech about Andrew Cuomo’s leadership, except Christine Quinn, who last week came out as Cuomo’s most fervent female supporter and Zephyr Teachout basher? In fact, on anything other than gay marriage (where he, admittedly, skillfully maneuvered the issue through the Legislature), it is hard to see Andrew Cuomo as being inspired about anything other than himself or his ability to push people around.

But, because a politician is self-aggrandizing, a bully, soft on corruption, less than honest, and short-changes education, cuts healthcare funding, and has little regard for environmental issues (much less parks or mass transit), affordable housing, and voting rights doesn’t mean you vote for his (or her) opponent. You can just stay home, like 80% of the rest of eligible voters. To vote for the opponent, you need to know why, and you need to believe that your vote counts.

I will start with the last issue first. As of today, 25% of the Democratic Party rank-and-file has an opinion about Zephyr Teachout. Sounds low. But given the low-key nature of the campaign to date, experts believe that turnout will be low, maybe 15-25%. The people who vote are often the same people who have paid attention to the candidates, and among that group, Teachout just may be in the lead. To know Andrew Cuomo is not to love him, and public employees, immigrants, people concerned about the environment, the working poor, and minorities have no reason to vote for him, and these folks can turn the tide in elections if they vote. More and more of them are becoming aware of who Zephyr Teachout is, and as word spreads, like wildfire, the possibility of her winning increases every day. It didn’t hurt that the NY Times endorsed Tim Wu for Lieutenant Governor, over Cuomo’s pro-gun ownership, anti-immigrant running mate. In fact, if people would stop saying “I don’t like Andrew Cuomo, but he can’t lose,” and started thinking that with their vote, Cuomo could just lose. Those who want to see progressive, democratic-oriented Democratic leadership just may pick a winner.

Why Zephyr Teachout, and her Lieutenant Governor running mate, Tim Wu? Because Zephyr and Tim represent a fresh approach to government – an approach where folks other than corporate executives with money count. Where “corruption” isn’t synonymous with “politics.” Zephyr Teachout and Tim Wu are activists who have fought – brilliantly – both as a grassroots organizers, intellectuals, writers, and litigators. They believe in fully funding public education. They oppose the environmentally questionable practice of hydro-fracking. They believe in strong measures exposing corruption and non-gerrymandered electoral district lines. They are adherents of open government, not a government run by a bunch of thugs strong enough to even give orders to a commission made up of District Attorneys. They believes in expanding the rights of immigrants – legal or illegal. And – important issue to this community – they believe in opening hospitals and not closing them, expanding health care, not contracting it.

Vote on Tuesday, September 9. Vote for Zephyr Teachout and Tim Wu. Our community has always had a loud impact on elections. This year it could be very loud.

Arthur Schwartz is the Democratic Party Male District Leader for Greenwich Village. He is also the State Treasurer for the Teachout-Wu campaign.

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