Could New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo beat President Donald Trump in 2020? There are four things to watch before the Democratic governor can be considered a potential presidential candidate.
Cuomo, who is planning to run for a third term next year, has downplayed any national ambitions but many are still considering him a contender.
"Whether he’s preparing or not, there is no denying he’s a contender," said Jay Jacobs, the chairman of the Nassau County Democratic Committee and former state party chairman, according to WGRZ.
"If you look at who the possible candidates will be 2020, you’d be making a mistake not to include his name on the list."
Despite this, there are obstacles which Cuomo has to first overcome over the next year.
1. Third term election – At the forefront are his plans for re-election next year, which may have been hurt by several hiccups and middling approval ratings, The New York Times noted.
In wake of this, there may be potential challengers considering a possible opening and, while no Republican has stepped up to the plate to challenge him, Cuomo could face a Democratic primary.
2. Taking swipes at Washington – Up until recently, Cuomo has refrained from overtly criticizing Trump but that has changed amid rising issues surrounding immigration, tax reform and health care – all which could negatively impact New Yorkers, WGRZ noted.
Larry Levy, executive dean at the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University, said the governor could hurt his prospects for 2018 and 2020 if he does not show New Yorkers that he is taking their interest to heart at home and in Washington.
3. Problems on the left – Cuomo’s first term as governor was defined by a push to meld liberal policies with more conservative ones but he was met with backlash from the left wing, particularly in New York, the New Republic reported.
At the heart of progressive policies is the Working Families Party, which Cuomo was barely able to win the support of in 2014.
Speaking about Cuomo, Nomiki Konst, a Bernie Sanders delegate to the Democratic National Convention, said he was “somehow the only politician in America who still thinks neoliberalism and triangulation work, who opens up the Blue Dog playbook and says, ‘How can I use this to run for president?’” Politico reported.
Cuomo has upped his poll numbers with liberals but still faces the prospect of a primary next year, WGRZ said.
4. National prominence – Cuomo has previously shied away from the spotlight and despite efforts to increase his public profile, his name still falls short from making national conversation for 2020.
WGRZ noted how the governor did not even make the list of hopefuls in a recent University of New Hampshire's Granite State Poll, with poll director Andrew Smith saying, “I hate to break it to the people in New York, but being governor of New York doesn’t really mean much to people in New Hampshire.”
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