Carl Paladino's Hometown Newspaper Endorses Andrew Cuomo

Batty and bigoted Republican candidate for governor of New York, Carl Paladino, is trailing his opponent Andrew Cuomo by doubt-digits in the polls and suffered another blow Sunday when his hometown newspaper, the Buffalo News, endorsed Cuomo. "In the end, there is no choice for governor but Andrew Cuomo," the editorial page reads, "and it's not just because Carl Paladino burned his own campaign to cinders after scorching Rick Lazio in September's gubernatorial primary."

After complimenting Cuomo as the only candidate with "a chance of bending the state toward rational decision-making," the Buffalo News turns their attention to Paladino's shortcomings, of which there are many. First, his temper:

Two big problems: He doesn't have the temperamental balance to actually serve as governor. Anger, alone, won't cut it. Loose cannons -- which is basically what 69 percent of voters in a new poll believe Paladino to be -- don't succeed in leadership positions.

Then, of course, his damning comments on homosexuality:

What is more, even if he could succeed, he has ruled himself out as a fit candidate as governor. His despicable comments on gays and lesbians, alone, demonstrated that he cannot be entrusted with representing New Yorkers equitably. The racist and pornographic e-mails he sent suggest the same about minorities and women. Those are not trifles; they are threshold tests. Paladino flunked.

Of course, these well-publicized issues are news to no one, but to hear it coming from home -- those who know Paladino best -- it stings a little more. The closing editor's note is also telling:

Cuomo met with The Buffalo News' editorial board as it considered which candidate to endorse. Paladino, despite repeated attempts by The News to schedule a meeting, did not.

Cuomo for governor [Buffalo News via Daily Intel]