Cuomo's Scandal Parallels Christie's as Jon Stewart Mocks Him

New York’s Democratic governor, Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Chris Christie of New Jersey say they share essential values as the sons of Sicilian women. Now they share something else: scandals that may block their aspirations for higher office.

Cuomo, who is running for re-election, is being attacked by opponents and watchdog groups after reports that aides interfered with an anti-corruption commission he created and then disbanded. U.S Attorney Preet Bharara in Manhattan is probing possible witness tampering, the New York Times reported today. In New Jersey, Christie is the target of investigations after his allies shut down the George Washington Bridge, possibly as payback for a mayor who didn’t endorse him.

“It’s the kind of thing that’s noteworthy in that Cuomo is a national political figure trying to become a greater one,” said Columbia University professor Robert Shapiro, who specializes in U.S. politics. “The parallel here is Bridgegate and Christie. These kinds of things can have ramifications for people’s political careers.”

Both governors are considered potential presidential candidates. Christie, 51, who grew up in Livingston, New Jersey, has ramped up his travel as chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Today, he’s in New Hampshire after visiting Iowa two weeks ago. Both are key states in the presidential selection process.

More