Much at Stake with Governor’s Debate

Grant Reeher, professor of political science and director of the Campbell Institute for Public Affairs in the Maxwell School, was quoted in the Newsday story “With much at stake, Cuomo, Nixon ready for their first and only debate.”

From the article:

“That puts (Cynthia) Nixon in position of needing to play offense during the debate; while Cuomo plays defense, said Grant Reeher, a Syracuse University political scientist.

Look for Nixon to push Cuomo on issues where’s he’s “vulnerable,” Reeher said, such as the condition of the subways and the string of Albany corruption trials that resulted in the conviction of Cuomo’s former closest aide, Joseph Percoco, among others.

‘People now associate him with Albany, whereas when he first ran he was going to do something to Albany,’ Reeher said, referring to Cuomo’s 2010 campaign pledge to make corruption a top issue.

Cuomo is expected to tout his liberal accomplishments, such as signing laws to legalize same-sex marriage, eventually raise the minimum wage to $15 downstate and expand gun control. The governor might try to ‘win on policy knowledge, push her on details she’s not able to explain,’ Reeher said.”