Cuomo Opted for a Covert Walk Over a Run for the Presidency
Gov. Mario Cuomo, who ends 12 years in office today, says he occasionally “slipped away” from his state police security detail and walked around Albany.
Most of his private strolls were uneventful, but the governor did recall being confronted by a man one night on a main street.
Cuomo said the man, in an alcoholic haze, stepped out of a doorway. “Got a smoke?” the man asked. Cuomo doesn’t smoke.
“Got a quarter?” the man inquired. The governor looked in his pockets, but wasn’t carrying any money.
The man took another look at Cuomo. “Are you the mayor?” he asked.
“No,” Cuomo replied, “I’m the governor.”
“Brother,” the man said, “You’re in worse shape than I am.”
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
