N.Y. Ballot Spot Sought for Cuomo

Gov. Mario M. Cuomo should be on the state presidential primary ballot because it could give New York added clout when it comes to choosing a Democratic nominee this summer, the state party leader said Sunday.

“The notion that this is some kind of draft Cuomo for President campaign is wrong,” John Marino said about the effort to make Cuomo a favorite son candidate.

Marino said putting Cuomo on the primary ballot would unify state voters behind one candidate, giving delegates more clout at the national convention.

But other Democratic leaders who met Sunday said they still believed that Cuomo, who said last month he would not run for President in 1992, should be a candidate.

“We believe . . . that he is the one person who can debate this President and his predecessor about the terrible impact they’ve had upon American families,” said Dominic Baranello of Suffolk County, who is organizing the favorite son effort.