Michael Shnayerson had the misfortune of releasing his Andrew Cuomo biography, “The Contender,” after Cuomo’s time has passed as a serious presidential contender. There was a time when Cuomo’s presidential stock was on the rise. In 2011-2012 he passed a landmark marriage equality bill, worked with Republicans, and amassed a massive campaign war chest. Unfortunately, 2014 exposed Cuomo’s personal and political limitations, and even Shnayerson now writes gloomily about his prospects. The sequel will not involve victory parties in Iowa and New Hampshire.
To a national audience meeting him for the first time, Shnayerson portrays Cuomo as a Robert Caro character, someone who can Get Things Done, if you can look past the endless barrage of distasteful anecdotes. To New Yorkers, this is a catalogue of Cuomo’s greatest hits as he bulldozes through state politics decade after decade.
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