Front-runner Andrew Cuomo using ‘Rose Garden’ strategy in NYC mayoral bid, critics claim

There’s the “Rose Garden” strategy — and then there’s the “Cuo Garden” strategy.

Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo is running a “Rose Garden” strategy in his comeback bid for mayor, keeping his interactions with the public and press to a minimum, an anti-Cuomo group claims.

“Andrew Cuomo plays the tough guy, but apparently he’s too scared to take a question from a voter. This guy claims he’s a crisis manager, but he’s not willing to answer any difficult questions about how he would actually do the job,” said Lauren Hitt, a spokesperson for the anti-Cuomo group New Yorkers for Better Leadership.

Front-runner Cuomo entered the campaign nearly a month ago and his camp dismissed the accusation as nonsense.

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The term “Rose Garden” campaign was first used by then-Democrat candidate Jimmy Carter in the 1976 presidential election as an attack on incumbent Gerald Ford.

Carter accused Ford of running a “Rose Garden strategy” to get himself free publicity by signing bills into law and making pronouncements — using the prestige of his office to create PR opportunities without having to face scrutiny.

Similarly, Cuomo’s public exposure has been extremely limited, Hitt claimed.

She said Cuomo should be confronted more directly over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the controversial order directing COVID-infected hospital patients into nursing homes, and various scandals that could dog him if elected mayor.

“Won’t Cuomo’s baggage get in the way of running the City? We won’t waste time trying to figure out what on earth an ‘emotional romantic relationship’ is, but it is clear the former governor continues to be dogged by lawsuits and other scandals,” said Hitt, referring to The Post’s bombshell story last week about Cuomo’s relationship with former top aide and adviser Melissa DeRosa.

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“How will he ensure that drama doesn’t distract him from the urgent task of running the City, as it has Mayor Adams?”

One campaign strategist said Cuomo’s frustrated opponents would be better served by focusing on their own campaigns, instead of obsessing over him.

“Every campaign wants to control the message — especially if you’re the front-runner,” said political consultant O’Brien “OB” Murray.

“Cuomo is a front-runner and everyone else is nipping at his heels. His rivals need to worry about their own campaigns.”

Cuomo spoke at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem Sunday morning and attended a press conference at Queens Democratic Party headquarters in Forest Hills in the afternoon, where he accepted the endorsement of the borough’s Democratic Party chairman, Rep. Gregory Meeks.

“Andrew Cuomo has been a tireless champion for New Yorkers, delivering results that have made our city and state stronger,” Chairman Meeks said.

He fielded some questions afterwards.

On March 17, Cuomo was grilled for two hours by the Post editorial board and on March 23 he attended a mayoral forum.

The criticism was dismissed as “provably false” by Cuomo campaign spokesman Richard Azzopardi who branded his opponents as “the group of de Blasio rejects.”

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“Since Governor Cuomo entered this race a month ago, he has spent his time with voters, men and women of the labor movement and various constituency groups across all 5 boroughs, while also doing interviews with the media, including an over 2 hour long on the record sit down with the New York Post, and having weekly gaggles,” Azzopardi said.

The Cuomo rep also took umbrage with Hitt reviving speculation about an “emotional romantic relationship” between Cuomo and DeRosa.

“Hilt is clearly a classless troll willing to dumpster dive because her ‘super’ PAC is desperate and hasn’t been able to raise a dime because New Yorkers know Andrew Cuomo is the only candidate for the job and the last time New Yorkers trusted a feckless ideologue to have on the job training we got stuck with her old boss de Blasio,” Azzopardi said.

Meanwhile, four of Cuomo’s mayoral rivals for the Democratic nomination– Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Adrienne Adams and Zellnor Myrie — walked into City Hall Park with arms linked to accept an endorsement from the left-leaning Working Families Party..

WFP co-director Ana María Archila emphasized the party’s commitment to “keeping our side united.”

The WFP has not yet decided how it will rank these candidates — other than not ranking Cuomo or incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.

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“New York city needs a leader who is able to unite people, who is able to lead with courage against authoritarian threats coming from the White House,” Archilla said.

“Being part of this dream team is a dream come true,” said Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.

“It is critical that public service is returned as a priority for mayor instead of personal interest and power. I’m not running for mayor for the power— I don’t need the power. I’m running for mayor for the people because I’m one of the people. I’m running to empower all of you.”