What was Gov. Cuomo actually trying to say?

                                                                       

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued what almost sounded like a threat against Long Island's Congressional representatives at the end of his coronavirus briefing Monday.

After complaining that the federal government has yet to provide funding to the state, city or MTA to offset the steep costs of the pandemic, Cuomo said:

"Let those Congressional people produce no federal funds and then come home to New York and then run for re-election in November. Lets see what happens. "
 
Cuomo added, "Don’t provide subsidy to the MTA, let the LIRR service reduce or the fares go up and then let the Congressional people explain it when they go to the people on Long Island and ask for their vote."

Was Cuomo talking about Democrats U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi of Glen Cove and Kathleen Rice of Garden City, who are running this year? He couldn't be referring to Republican U.S. Rep. Peter King of Seaford, who is not seeking re-election. U.S. Rep Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) is running again but his eastern Long Island constituents are much less likely to worry about the MTA.

Was Cuomo trying to explain ahead of time the potential poor showing by Democratic candidates in November? Or was he warning them to up their game because they are in trouble? 

There have been whispers among both major parties that polling is showing Democratic candidates on Long Island are in trouble because of bail reform along with rising crime and violent protests in New York City and across the nation following the death of George Floyd in May.

Those whispers were said outloud by CNN anchor Don Lemon on Tuesday night, and acknowledged by the governor's brother, Chris Cuomo, another CNN anchor.

“I think Democrats are ignoring this problem (of violence), are hoping that it will go away. And it’s not going to go away,” Lemon said to Cuomo.

"But guess what, the rioting has to stop. Chris, as you know and I know, it’s showing up in the polls, it’s showing up in focus groups. It’s the only thing right now that’s sticking.”

Cuomo nodded his head, saying "mmm-hu" in agreement.

This conversation came hours before shots were fired, killing two people and injuring another, during ongoing riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Protestors in the after-dark riots, sparked by the police shooting of Jacob Blake, had torched businesses, auto dealers and government buildings in the former industrial city that had started to climb back from a long decline following the offshoring of many of its jobs.

A 17-year-old youth from nearby Antioch Illinois has been arrested in the fatal shooting. He allegedly said he was there to protect property.

Today, Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden, condemned "needless violence" after the Blake shooting. Perhaps he too read the polls.