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<\/p>\nThere is no place for sexual harassment or abuse of power in any American workplace \u2014 be it in business or politics.\u00a0This is a basic and simple standard.\u00a0No one, no matter where they work or what they do should be subject to harassment or hostility from a co-worker, and especially not from someone in a position of power.\u00a0Those who report harassment should not be forced to leave their jobs in order to avoid harassment.\u00a0That is why, if the allegations against Gov. Andrew\u00a0Cuomo are true, he must resign.<\/p>\n
No leader in a position of power can maintain their legitimacy under the kind of suspicion and allegations that have been leveled against Gov.\u00a0Cuomo.\u00a0He is accused of having called and screamed at a member of the New York State Assembly so loudly that his family could hear it across the room. Threatening to \u201cdestroy\u201d a co-worker for any reason, as Cuomo apparently did, is unacceptable and outrageous behavior and an abuse of power. And now, two women have accused the Governor of unwanted sexual advances. The New York Times reporting of the newest accuser, Charlotte Bennett, is extremely detailed. They reviewed text messages she sent to multiple people about the incident at the time.\u00a0She also claims to have reported the harassment to her superior in state government.\u00a0The response: move her to another job.\u00a0Even if that job was not a demotion, the victim here was punished.\u00a0 She was asked to give up her job in order to accommodate her harasser \u2014 the most powerful man in New York politics.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now Gov.\u00a0Cuomo has issued a non-apology, trying to deflect responsibility for his terrible judgement by claiming to have been \u201cinsensitive or too personal.\u201d\u00a0That he is unwilling to acknowledge just how unacceptable his behavior was makes it all the more clear that he can no longer lead.<\/p>\n
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Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo on May 26, 2020, in New York City. (Photo: Johannes Eisele\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n If we have learned one thing from #MeToo it\u2019s that harassment has nothing to do with political party.\u00a0It\u2019s about power and the abuse of it.\u00a0Men who harass or make unwanted sexual advances on women in the workplace (or both) must be held accountable, no matter their party or politics. It\u2019s disqualifying behavior that undermines the legitimacy of that leader.<\/p>\n Because Andrew Cuomo is a Democrat, many will defend him by pointing out that former President Trump was never held accountable, nor did he resign over the multiple allegations of sexual assault leveled against him. That is true and abhorrent.\u00a0If Democrats are to hold the moral high ground on issues of gender equity, respectful and safe workplaces, labor rights and equity writ large, they cannot apply those standards just to those on the opposite side of the aisle. When it comes to harassment, Democrats cannot talk the talk if they are not willing to walk the walk.<\/p>\n COVID nursing home deaths: <\/strong>New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is running from his part in my dad’s death<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Gov.\u00a0Cuomo is entitled to an outside and independent investigation and New Yorkers deserve a full account of the truth.\u00a0Initially Cuomo proposed to appoint an investigator himself which prompted swift and appropriate outrage.\u00a0Now, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore\u00a0and Attorney General Tish James will be overseeing an investigation which we can only hope will be free from political influence.\u00a0In this and every investigation into harassment claims, there must be a thorough, non-political, totally independent quest for the truth.\u00a0But with an avalanche of scandal now consuming his administration Gov.\u00a0Cuomo also has a real opportunity to demonstrate the leadership required to step aside for the good of the public and the State of New York.<\/p>\n Of course, many New Yorkers appreciate the leadership Cuomo showed that helped avoid greater loss of life from the COVID\u00a0crisis in New York \u2014 although, his COVID\u00a0response is now embroiled in scandal, too, thanks to an alleged cover up of retirement home deaths.\u00a0Ultimately, legitimacy of leadership must be ever renewed and maintained.\u00a0Leadership is about the example you set for others and your ability to treat people with respect and professionalism no matter the circumstances.\u00a0By this critical standard, Gov.\u00a0Cuomo has failed.\u00a0Abuses of power cannot stand.<\/p>\n GOP: <\/strong>The Republican civil war was over 5 years ago. Trump and the winners have a new target<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n No leader wants to resign in a cloud of scandal but it\u2019s worth noting, as the Governor considers his legacy, that in so doing he would also clear the way for the historic ascension of Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul \u2014 she would become the first woman governor in New York history. It would be a powerful statement at an important time. But whatever the governor chooses and regardless of the outcome, Democrats must resolve to apply the high standards of equity, fairness, inclusion, dignity and respect to everyone, whether we like them or not.<\/p>\nHigh standards for leadership must be applied equally<\/h2>\n