Cuomo Praises Jackson as Democrat Who Can Win
New York Gov. Mario Cuomo heaped praise on Jesse Jackson today as “a singularly important Democrat” who could win for the party in November. Jackson thanked Cuomo for not endorsing any of the presidential candidates.
“He is making this race a manifestation of the American idea at its very best,” said Cuomo during a late morning news conference with Jackson.
While Cuomo held to his pledge not to endorse any of the three Democratic candidates before the end of the primary season on June 7, Jackson said that was fine with him.
“Governor Cuomo, just keep a freeze on all endorsements and keep extending your support,” the candidate said as Jackson supporters cheered.
Cuomo said Jackson was suffering from the “dumb blonde syndrome” in which potential voters think that if a candidate demonstrates charisma and passion there is little else. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” Cuomo said.
Cuomo told Jackson that the fact that “you can get to be President, or so close, that they put your face on the front page of national magazines just to explain this phenomenon--that is extraordinary progress.”
Jackson said it was “a wise use of power” for Cuomo to hold off backing any candidate until after the primaries.
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