Gov. Cuomo today said President Obama deserves to be re-elected–but hardly sounded enthusiastic about his economic policies.
Cuomo during a Capitol press conference said the nasty debate over the federal debt ceiling was “disruptive” to the economy.
“This situation in Washington, I think, affected consumer confidence, obviously for the negative, and that hurts the economy,” Cuomo said.
At best, the debt ceiling resolution averted a default, which for the economy would have been like the car going over the cliff, he said.
“Thanks in part to the president’s leadership, that was avoided,” he said.
Asked directly whether he has confidence in Obama’s fiscal policies, Cuomo talked how the “episode in Washington” was not helpful” to the economy.
Pressed further, he said, “I’m an optimist. I have faith. I believe the economy is going to get better.”
“And I believe when we look back in a few months, this Washington episode will have been a blip.”
But Cuomo, who hosted a New York City fundraiser for Obama on Tuesday, said he is firmly behind the president’s reelection despite reports he privately would like to see him lose to help bolster the governor’s possible 2016 national ambitions.
“I believe he should be the next president of the United States, he should be reelected, and I believe he will be reelected,” Cuomo said.
