New York Governor Kathy Hochul is in an unexpectedly close race. With less than a week until Election Day, she stopped by MSNBC’s The 11th Hour Friday to be asked Stephanie Ruhle if her struggles are due to “sexism of voters” and “we give enough credit” for crime.
Hochul had just been through what she considered to be the positive aspects in her record on the matter when Ruhle asked, “Does that give you credit?” Is it conscious or unconscious sexism that voters face? Particularly in relation to crime and public safety.
Ruhle continued to flatter Hochul by contrasting her with other governors. “Right?” New Yorkers are used to these alpha males, macho men, governors, or political leaders here. You are not from New York City. You are a petite, capable and intelligent woman from upstate.
Ruhle then asked a more probing question: “Do you think that we give you enough credit?”
Hochul, for her part, declined to call voters sexists and instead chose to hyper-emphasize her own credentials, “People Know I’m tough as heck.” I’m originally from Buffalo. My grandfather and father were both steel workers. I grew up in a large Irish Catholic rough-and–tumble family. I am the toughest person I know and I have been through everything in this job.
She claims that cashless bail does not affect crime. However, she urges people to look at her record. “If anyone thinks I am soft on crime then take a look at what we have been doing.” We have been aggressive in this. So I’m breaking the mold. Perhaps people haven’t ever seen a governor with a face like mine. This should be the norm.
Hochul will lose if it happens. This is because of the bail remarks and a general red tide than sexist voters who don’t get it.
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Here’s a transcript from the November 4th show:
MSNBC The 11th hour with Stephanie Ruhle
11/5/2022
11:27 PM ET
STEPHANIE ROHLE: Do YOU think that you deserve credit for this? Do you believe that voters are sexism? Particularly when it comes to public safety and crime? Right? New Yorkers are used to these alpha males, macho men, governors, or political leaders here. You are not from New York City. You are a petite and capable woman from upstate. Do you think we give enough credit to you?
KATHY HOCHUL – People know that I’m tough and tough as hell. I’m originally from Buffalo. My grandfather and father were both steel workers. I grew up in a large Irish Catholic rough-and–tumble family. There is no one more tough than me and I have been through hell and back with this job.
It’s a wonderful job that I love. But there’s no one more tough than me. If anyone thinks I am soft on crime, just look at the things we’ve done. This is something we’ve done aggressively.
So I’m breaking the mold. Perhaps people haven’t ever seen a governor with a face like mine. This should be the norm. We have the toughness, I am a mother. I am actually a grandmother. This is why I feel so strongly about people who fear. So I have my own toughness but also compassion and empathy for those around me who may not have it.
This combination is what I bring to the table when it comes to my passion for solving this problem. Normaly, a governor doesn’t get involved in local policing issues. Have you ever seen this before?
But I have been leading with the leaders not only in New York City, Rochester and Syracuse, convening everyone. What are you doing, U.S. attorney, sheriffs? This law has been used by you? My husband was Barack Obama’s United States attorney. He was a top prosecutor so I know how this works. People shouldn’t underestimate my toughness and my commitment to ensuring that our streets are safe.
