Can cold Andrew Cuomo warm up and get out of his comfort zone to beat Mamdani?

With Mayor Eric Adams’ recent announcement to withdraw from his reelection campaign, a rare opening has emerged for Andrew Cuomo to reclaim City Hall and prevent the rise of a potentially disastrous Zohran Mamdani as mayor. However, for Cuomo to seize this opportunity, he must step outside of his established comfort zone.

Currently, Cuomo is averaging only 25% support among voters, a situation attributed to his contentious past and a lack of personal appeal.

To emerge victorious in November, he must not only attract Adams’ supporters but also win over a segment of Republican votes, including those from Curtis Sliwa’s camp.

A reinvigorated and approachable Andrew Cuomo, committed to countering the extreme left, could indeed find success. So, what steps should he take?

Cuomo can begin by demonstrating an unexpected warmth: it’s time to shed the negative perceptions of being a bully and to embrace a more humble and respectful demeanor.

He should strive to be nice, humble, and honest. Rather than pointing fingers at his opponents and the political landscape, he ought to take responsibility for his own actions.

Next, he needs to articulate clear policy positions and outline specific plans for implementation.

A vital approach would be to openly acknowledge the missteps of his governorship. In a meeting with The Post’s editorial board this past March, Cuomo claimed he was powerless against the extreme leftists in the Legislature who passed harmful legislation without his consent.

Yet, it’s on record that he himself championed bail reform during his 2018 State of the State Address and proposed a bill for raising the age to prosecute individuals as adults.

To gain credibility, he must provide an honest accounting of how his governance strategy faltered and the lessons learned. He must clarify how he would navigate a City Council likely just as progressive as the state Legislature—one that may offer him less negotiating power.

Historically, Cuomo has had some notable achievements; he notably defended charter schools against then-Mayor Bill de Blasio’s attempts to undermine them and successfully passed a statewide property tax cap, managing to overturn significant budget deficits during his tenure.

His best moments emerged when he challenged leftist ideologies that perpetuate the belief that increased government intervention is the answer, while his less effective moments were marked by attempts at political maneuvering that fell flat.

While his campaign website lays out comprehensive plans regarding public safety, even that aspect could benefit from elaboration, particularly regarding funding for the proposed hiring of 5,000 new police officers.

As for housing, will he continue with Adams’ “City of Yes” initiatives? How does he plan to enhance living standards in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments?

Detailing how he intends to continue Adams’ momentum, as well as which initiatives he believes should be discontinued, could be a beneficial play—he might even want to critique Mamdani’s proposals and argue why an alternative perspective is essential.

Support from Adams’ and Sliwa’s constituents would likely hinge on Cuomo’s commitment to dismantling open-air drug and prostitution markets, which ironically are perhaps the only “free markets” Mamdani wishes to promote. Addressing these plans in detail and exposing the potential fallout of a socialist regime will be crucial.

At his core, Andrew Cuomo embodies the spirit of a pragmatic Italian-American from Queens. However, he must channel that essence by showcasing his genuine connection to the people and recommitting to practical, sensible solutions, instead of appearing as a detached technocrat who thinks he knows best.

It’s high time for Cuomo to embrace a more relatable stance and convey to the residents of New York City that he is still in touch with their needs, eager to shape a City Hall that operates in their genuine interests.