“Andrew Cuomo” on The Daily Caller

The AFL-CIO, the New York Times reported, recently distributed an internal memo warning its members that in several states around the country, Republicans may pursue new laws with the goal of financially starving labor unions. This trend has public employee unions worrying that lawmakers will finally scale back the extent to which unions eat up state budgets. (more)

Dede Scozzafava, a prominent New York Republican and former member of the state’s assembly, has joined the administration of newly inaugurated Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. An outspoken supporter of Cuomo’s gubernatorial bid last year, Scozzafava was named deputy secretary for local government at the Department of State on Tuesday. (more)

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he’s taking a 5 percent pay cut, along with five top aides and Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy. (more)

1.) Washington’s Funniest Celebrity tries new routine on ‘This Week’ — White House economic advisor and stand-up comic Austan Goolsbee told some really bad jokes yesterday on “This Week,” alleges David Frum. “I don’t see why anybody’s talking about playing chicken with the…with the debt ceiling.” Goolsbee said yesterday. Also: “If we hit the debt ceiling, that’s…essentially defaulting on our obligations, which is totally unprecedented in American history” and that it would “be the first default in history caused purely by insanity.” While the aforementioned superlative is debatable, the rest of Goolsbee’s claim is not. As David Frum points out, Goolsbee is jousting with windmills: Two weeks after the election, Rep. John Boehner said, “Whether we like it or not, the federal government has obligations and we have obligations on our part.” More likely, writes Frum, is that Obama is playing chicken not with debt, but with Americans’ confidence. That’s not funny at all. (more)

Newly inaugurated New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s official government web page linked to a parody Twitter account Sunday morning, confusing New Yorkers and likely embarrassing his staff. (more)

In his first act as governor, Andrew Cuomo Saturday symbolically moved toward his promise of opening up government to the people. (more)

The policy debate rages over fracking, a process for extracting oil and/or natural gas from rock. (more)

Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo has said all the right things about changing Albany, but his predecessor questions whether one person can make a difference. (more)

Attorney General Eric Holder should be preparing his resume. He ought to be joining the exodus of congressional lame ducks who have been shown the door by incensed voters. (more)

Steven Rattner began Thursday basking in the glow of a job well-done, as the one-time auto czar watched General Motors Co. emerge from a government bailout to be warmly received by the stock market again. (more)

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo says he’s against trying the professed mastermind of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in his state. (more)

A look of the key races in the 50 states: (more)

Since last Monday’s New York gubernatorial debate, I’ve been disappointed to read that a few reporters said I was using “cheat sheets” during the debate. The New York Post said my remarks were “ghostwritten.” Former Mayor Ed Koch said my lines were written by my campaign advisor, “Roger What’s-his-name.” Sadly, these comments are both sexist and untrue. (more)

Democratic New York gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo was every bit the smooth politician he was expected to be at Monday’s nights gubernatorial debate. He highlighted his experience and did what every Democrat is doing these days: distanced himself from the progressive, Democrat agenda. (more)

Tonight at 7 p.m., New York Attorney General and Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Cuomo will debate “angry as hell” Republican candidate Carl Paladino — and Charles Barron of the Freedom Party, and Kristin Davis of the Anti-Prohibition Party, and Howie Hawkins of the Green Party, and Warren Redlich of the Libertarian Party, and even Jimmy McMillan of the Rent Is Too Damn High Party. (more)

The Republican candidate for governor in New York has been somewhat colorful on the trail this year. Carl Paladino, a novice politician and experienced businessman from Buffalo, won the Republican nomination against establishment candidate Rick Lazio thanks to the excitement of Tea Party supporters. His candidacy has produced some odd and sometimes uncomfortable moments on the campaign trail. This three-minute compilation features Paladino fighting with a political reporter, answering questions about inappropriate e-mails, cursing Eric Holder, explaining his comments about homosexuality, and describing a Gay Pride parade. (more)

So when is the last time you heard a truly progressive Democrat say the following (I am paraphrasing, thus no quotation marks): (more)

NY Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, under fire for making remarks criticized as anti-gay, said Monday that discrimination against homosexuals is “horrible” and that he did not regret his controversial remarks. (more)

As in the House and Senate, Republicans are poised to make large gains in the dozens of campaigns for governor on Nov. 2. According to polls, Republicans are likely to hold the governorships in 27 states, Democrats in 16. Seven other races are up for grabs. Democrats currently hold a 26-24 edge. (more)

Of the midterm races with interesting Tea Party components, here’s the latest: (more)