So soon to be former Governor Cuomo finally read the writing on the wall and resigned today as a result of the 11 women who are pursuing civil and criminal cases for sexual harrassment.
On his way out the door, Cuomo apologized for not realizing how much the goalposts have moved on what constitutes unwelcome and threatening behavior. He cited political considerations and the frenzy of social media. He claimed, once again he did nothing wrong other than misunderstand that his behavior might be offensive to some because of changing standards.
His statements about accepting responsibility ring hollow in the face of all the qualifiers.
No apology for gaslighting the 11 women who came forward and for his assistants trying to discredit them. This apology is squarely in the "I'm sorry you were offended" range. Already his defenders are speaking out like Alec Baldwin who called this a tragic day.
Here are his opening statements from the transcript. Link to the full speech and a video thereof is below.
"Good morning. Let me begin by thanking Rita Glavin for that powerful presentation. I'd like to address several issues today. First, I've always told New Yorkers the facts, before my opinion. So let's start New York tough with the truth. The Attorney General did a report on complaints made against me by certain women for my conduct. The report said I sexually harassed 11 women. That was the headline people heard and saw, and reacted to. The reaction was outrage. It should have been."
"However, it was also false. My lawyers, as you just heard from Rita Glavin, have reviewed the report over the past several days and have already raised serious issues and flaws that should concern all New Yorkers. Because when there is a bias or a lack of fairness in the justice system, it is a concern for everyone -- not just those immediately affected. The most serious allegations made against me have no credible factual basis in the report."
"And there is a difference between alleged improper conduct and concluding sexual harassment. Now, don't get me wrong, this is not to say that there are not 11 women who I truly offended. There are. And for that I deeply, deeply apologize. I thought a hug and putting my arm around a staff person while taking a picture was friendly. But she found it to be too forward. I kissed a woman on the cheek at a wedding, and I thought I was being nice, but she felt it was too aggressive.
I have slipped and called people honey, sweetheart and darling. I meant it to be endearing. But women found it dated and offensive. I said on national TV, to a doctor wearing PEE and giving me a COVID nasal swab, you make that gown look good. I was joking, obviously, otherwise I wouldn't have said it on national TV.
But she found it disrespectful. I take full responsibility for my actions. I have been too familiar with people. My sense of humor can be insensitive and off-putting. I do hug and kiss people casually, women and men. I have done it all my life. It is who I've been since I can remember. In my mind, I've never crossed the line with anyone. But, I didn't realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn.
There are generational and cultural shifts that I just didn't fully appreciate. And I should have. No excuses."
*MySmiley*
"Bustin' makes me feel good!"
Ghostbusters, by Ray Parker Jr.