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We must hold powerful figures accountable for their actions

By Jandoli Institute on March 31, 2021 • ( 0 )

By Haley Sousa

*(Photo by Mike Groll/Office of the Governor)*

After coming under fire for attempting to cover up nursing home deaths during the beginning of the pandemic, the last thing Gov. Andrew Cuomo needed was more scandals if he wished to win any elections in the future.

Cuomo is not the first politician to face allegations of the sort; former President Donald Trump was accused of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment by more than 25 women and still won the presidency.

The Gary Hart 1987 cheating scandal changed the way media reported on political figures by beginning to heavily report on personal aspects of candidates’ lives. I do not blame the media for covering these issues; in fact, I think it is necessary to our democracy to be fully informed on candidates we are voting for, but personally, I do not believe the Gary Hart scandal was as bad as the allegations against Cuomo because cheating does not reflect his ability to govern.

Haley Sousa is a student in a Media and Democracy class at St. Bonaventure University.