The Coming Election

By Keith Boykin, in politics
Tuesday, September 3 2002, 9:40AM

Voters go to the polls next Tuesday in elections across the country, and two of the most closely watched contests will include the vote to repeal the Miami-Dade County gay rights ordinance and the New York governor's race. I'll be reporting on both elections, but right now I want to talk about New York.

Why are so many black leaders lining up behind Andrew Cuomo's gubernatorial campaign?

As the son of former New York governor Mario Cuomo, Andrew Cuomo seems to have locked up the "famous black sons" vote. Adam Clayton Powell IV, the son of the former Harlem congressman, marched with Cuomo Monday in the West Indian American Day parade in Brooklyn. In addition, Martin Luther King III has recorded a television commercial for Cuomo and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has endorsed Cuomo.

But other prominent African Americans have supported Cuomo as well. Actor Giancarlo Esposito was scheduled to march with Cuomo in Monday's parade, professor Cornel West campaigned for Cuomo last week, and media mogul Russell Simmons has also made a few appearances for him.

That's not to say McCall doesn't have his share of endorsements in the black community. Most notably, Congressman Charlie Rangel and the Rev. Al Sharpton support McCall. So too does Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Chris Rock, Chris Tucker and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. McCall even attended Combs's party after the MTV Music Awards Thursday night.

I have nothing against Andrew Cuomo, but I cannot support him in the Democratic primary. McCall is African American and much more experienced in state government than Cuomo. He would be the first black governor of New York. Given the choice between an unelected white guy with no experience in state government and the highest elected black official in New York with years of hands-on experience, it's hard to understand how black leaders justify supporting Cuomo. This is especially true since the two candidates' political views are so similar, and because polls show that McCall has a much better chance of defeating Republican Governor George Pataki.

Is this simply a case of paying off past debts to Cuomo or his father? I'm not sure. I haven't followed New York politics closely enough to understand what's going on here. But I would like to know. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but when given the opportunity to elect qualified candidates of color, I try to do so. Of course, loyalty is also an important consideration, and Cuomo's black supporters may be loyal to him for past work they've done together. I'm not saying that all black leaders should endorse McCall, but I would like to know why those who support Cuomo have chosen to do so.

(Photo of Sen. Hillary Clinton and Carl McCall by Kelly Guenther for The New York Times)