The adage “politics make strange bedfellows” is popping into the conversation more often of late. When the wealthiest man in New York has $5 million burning a hole in his silk-lined pocket, it makes sense to finance an ideological rival’s latest ad campaign. Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has quietly donated a pittance of his net worth to New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Indirectly, of course, for the governor’s campaign to advance her budget that involves public safety, education, and affordable housing initiatives.
Hochul Web of Transparency
The ads are primarily television and funded by the political action committee American Opportunity, which appears to be tied to the Democratic Governors Association (DGA). It is also only registered in DC and not licensed to stick its nose in New York’s business. But the group insists it is autonomous, declaring in an unsigned email to a regional media outlet, “American Opportunity is a 501(c)(4) established to promote social welfare and policies. American Opportunity engages in states and on issues consistent with its mission.”
The lack of transparency from the DGA is now a festering sore for the party’s progressive wing. And that has raised concerns. “If it’s the Democratic Governors Association, why wouldn’t they be forthcoming?” queried Ron Deutsch, director of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness. “They should be proud enough of Gov. Hochul that they’re willing to declare all of this quite publicly.”
The organization noted and fired back: “American Opportunity is committed to supporting policies of governors across the country that strengthen communities and create opportunities for all families,” American Opportunity senior advisor Christina Amestoy said via news release. It should be noted that Amestoy is also deputy communications director at the Democratic Governors Association. Darn those LinkedIn profile searches.
But what Democrat wants to preach that they took a Republican’s money for ads that will help him keep more of his immense wealth?
Michael Kink, from the group Strong Economy for All, was incensed. “The richest person in New York is trying to buy the state budget that’s being negotiated here at the Capitol right now. We’re here to say that’s wrong.”
Governor Hochul has also been under public fire. During a presser in the infamous and ornate Red Room, she handled the stinging questions about Bloomberg with the ease of an experienced politician.
Kathy Hochul (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“I’m happy to receive the support of people from all over the state of New York,” Hochul breezed, “I have the support of our budget from the leader of the NAACP, clergy from Buffalo to Long Island, labor leaders, environmentalists. We have a lot of support from many different sources for our budget.”
Hochul Angers Radical Progressives
The series of ads that Bloomberg funded talk about Hochul keeping a promise to New Yorkers. “Governor Hochul kept her word to not raise income taxes,” the ad’s narrator says with folksy assurance. Unfortunately for the socialist branch of the Democratic Party, that’s a declaration of war. Instead, they want to raise taxes for anyone making $5 million a year or more, which is New York’s middle class in today’s economic maelstrom.
For his participation, Bloomberg is willing to accept a budget laden with proposals for more affordable housing, childcare, and increased funding for police, education, and mental health services. Hochul’s budget would be a record high at $227 billion. The boogeyman of New York and the governor who promised “full transparency” are strange bedfellows, indeed.
