New York Governor Cuomo steps down in response to sexual harassment allegations

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) New York: “And I think that given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing. And therefore, that’s what I’ll do. Because I work for you and doing the right thing is doing the right thing for you. Because, as we say, it’s not about me, it’s about we. Kathy Hochul, my lieutenant governor, is smart and competent. This transition must be seamless. We have a lot going on. I’m very worried about the delta variant and so should you be. But she can come up to speed quickly and my resignation will be effective in 14 days.”

“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’s 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.”

“But I want to thank the women who came forward with sincere complaints. It’s not easy to step forward, but you did an important service and you taught me and you taught others an important lesson. Personal boundaries must be expanded and must be protected. I accept full responsibility.”

“In many ways, I see the world through the eyes of my daughters, Cara, Mariah and Michaela, they are 26 and 26, twins, and 23.  And I have lived this experience with and through them, I have sat on the couch with them hearing the ugly accusations for weeks. I have seen the look in their eyes and the expression on their faces and it hurt. I want my three jewels to know this. My greatest goal is for them to have a better future than the generations of women before them. It is still, in many ways, a man’s world. It always has been. We have sexism that is cultural and institutionalized. My daughters have more talent and natural gifts than I ever had. I want to make sure that society allows them to fly as high as their wings will carry them. There should be no assumptions, no stereotypes, no limitations. I want them to know from the bottom of my heart that I never did – and I never would – intentionally disrespect a woman or treat any woman differently than I would want them treated. And that is the God’s honest truth. Your dad made mistakes and he apologized and he learned from it, and that’s what life is all about.”