Ed Koch Governor Campaign Commercial

As everyone (ha!) knows, today is the run-off for the Democratic primary. And everyone (no, really) is talking about whether or not Governor David Paterson will or will not run next year for a full term. He may or may not and Andrew Cuomo may or may not challenge him in a primary.

Right now, talking is all people can do.

Thinking about a potentially contentious, history making primary involving a Cuomo for governor and a former Lt. Governor, I think back to the 1982 Democratic primary for governor between Mario Cuomo and Ed Koch.

Cuomo and Koch had run against each other for mayor in 1977 and Koch obviously won. In 1981, Koch was triumphantly re-elected and set his sights on the governorship (Governor Hugh Carey was retiring so the job was open). But Mario Cuomo had other ideas for Mr. Koch. After his defeat in 1977, Cuomo became Cary's Lt. Governor and decided he wanted the job for himself. He and Koch met again in a primary and this time Cuomo won. Like Koch, he went on to serve in the job he won for twelve years.

This is a 1982 commercial for Koch for Governor. It's kinda lousy so no wonder he didn't win.