Maybe he doesn't want it.
Some would say he is too old (he is 76).
Others might simply think that there are more qualified other candidates out there.
But frankly, it has baffled me that the name of the former governor of New York, Mario Cuomo, has not been mentioned in articles speculating on who will fill the senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton come January 2009.
Update -- Wow ... I'm surprised. Lot of ageism-type comments floating around on this thread. ("Old retread" ... "too old" ... "no retreads") He is 76, people! A lot of 70- and 80-plus year olds have a lot they can still contribute to this great country. Please think it over a bit before you toss these "pearls" out for others to consider. Just a thought.
Like President-elect Obama (heh, sure feels good to write that), Mario Cuomo first came to the political forefront when he delivered a rousing keynote speech to the Democratic National Convention in 1984. Many people, like me, were subsequently disappointed when he chose not o run for president in either 1988 or 1992.
Since being defeated for re-election governor of New York in the Republican landslides of 2004, the Governor's mighty voice has been quiet. And what a voice it is.
A story Cuomo often told, and retold in his book, The Blue Spruce, gives me one reason to think that at a time like this -- where the winds are wildly unpredictable and the destruction heartbreaking-- America could use a man like Mario Cuomo in the senate.
Cuomo recalls the story of his immigrant father who moved his family from an apartment building to a new home that was graced by a magnificent blue spruce in the front yard. The tree held in its branches "their secrets and their dreams." Later, and sadly--after years of family enjoyment of its shade and magnificent greenery, unusually high winds fell the tree. But rather than allow his despair to overwhelm him to what seems inevitable, Cuomo and his father tap deep within and apply the powers of hope, will and effort to raise and repair the tree. And because of their efforts, the tree recovered and prospered.
Is there a more fitting allegory to the challenges we face today as a nation? According to wikipedia, Mario Cuomo is currently of counsel to a New York-based law firm.
Again, I believe this is a story Cuomo told and often retold during his more active political years. I'd be appreciative to anyone who could point me to a link to the Governor's poetic words.