From Fred Dicker’s latest column:
“Gov. Chris Christie’s “bizarre behavior’’ in refusing to say he’ll support a possible GOP challenger [Rob Astorino] to Gov. Cuomo next year could derail his chances to become president, state and national GOP insiders have told The Post … Cuomo claimed last week that Christie, the new head of the Republican Governors Association — an organization whose purpose is to elect GOP governors — had quickly called him to say The Post was wrong in reporting the New Jersey governor was ready to back Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, should he become the Republican nominee for governor next”
Who knows what exactly was said between Christie and Cuomo. It is possible Cuomo views Christie as a potential ’16 opponent and is deliberately screwing with him in hopes of derailing a presidential bid.
“… Democratic insiders say Cuomo and his political aides are engaged in an all-out effort to pressure Astorino not to run for governor next year. “They’re trying to head off contributors to Astorino, spreading the word that he’s not going to run, trying to convince Republican money people that he doesn’t have a chance, and letting it be known that the governor won’t be happy with those who go with him,’’ said a source close to the state Democratic Committee …”
And now we know where Greg David’s fawning pro-Cuomo op-ed comes from.
If Cuomo and his agenda are really that popular, then what does it matter if Astorino runs against him or not? He’d just roll right over him. This reinforces my belief that behind the scenes Cuomo realizes he’s made a big mistake with SAFE and while he still believes he will be re-elected Governor next year, he sees his opportunity on the national stage slipping away.