A Working Relationship

Mario Cuomo was one of a kind. There will never be another great leader with his immigrant background and perspective. He was the hardest working person I have ever been around. For example, most people understand that he was an extraordinary public speaker, but few saw that he would go through ten, eleven or even a dozen drafts of those speeches.

My first in-depth contact with Mario was when he “interviewed” me for the opportunity to run for lieutenant governor with him in 1986. Although I had interacted with him when I served as mayor of Jamestown and he was secretary of state, we had little contact when I was in Congress during his first term as governor. I thought there was no substance to the rumors that I was on the short list of possible lieutenant governor candidates, especially since I had endorsed my friend, Ed Koch, in the 1982 primary against Cuomo.

I was surprised when I was asked to come to his World Trade Center office to discuss the campaign. Our discussion lasted about an hour and a half, and he did 90 percent of the talking. As I came to understand him better, I believe he wanted it absolutely clear that we shared the same perspective about the role of the lieutenant governor. I do not recall a single tough question he asked me and I’m not aware that he interviewed anyone else for the position. But we started our relationship “on the same page.”

Ours was a working relationship. Of course, I got to know Andrew, Matilda and the whole family. But my interactions with Mario were in the office and out among our constituents. In this situation, if you’re clearly No. 2, it’s best if the principal has absolute integrity and a strong work ethic. Mario had both.

That is not to say that he didn’t have a sense of humor. For example, I once had the temerity to suggest that we have a retreat with the senior staff and perhaps others. Mario said, “Can you imagine me sitting around in short pants?”

I am often asked why he didn’t run for president or seek a U.S. Supreme Court appointment. I think there are three different answers. In 1988, his back was bothering him and he always wanted to sleep in his own bed. In 1992, he wanted to run but New York was in an extremely difficult budget hole, and he felt that the “rationale” (his word) wasn’t there for seeking the presidency. As for the Supreme Court, I simply do not know why he told President Clinton that he didn’t want to be considered. He had previously told me and a few others that he really wanted that appointment. Maybe it was just that he was the ultimate New Yorker and couldn’t see himself working and living in Washington, D.C.

Gov. Mario Cuomo was a great man who gave me an incredible and unforgettable opportunity. I will miss him.

Stan Lundine served as lieutenant governor under Gov. Mario Cuomo.