There must be something in the water in Queens for it seems that, as to politicians, that Borough of New York City produces a certain breed of them.

Two that come to mind are Andrew Cuomo and Donald Trump. Though neither now live in Queens, this is the place where they “cut their eye teeth” when it came to business and politics.

Having spent a few years in Albany (now many years ago,) I had a “bird’s eye view” of politicians from across the state. Queens was known then as a scrappy place where people grew up battling, in one form or another, for everything from political turf to business advantage.

Life there seemed to be right out of Darwin, where competition was rampant and only the strong survived. And… survive they have!

Donald Trump won the Presidency and then lost it, and then regained it again, despite some sexual improprieties that in court judgments have cost him a lot of money. Andrew Cuomo won the Governorship of New York only to lose it in a sexual harassment scandal (which he has never admitted to,) and now seems poised to re-enter politics as Mayor of the City of New York as front-runner in the primary election being held there next week.

I guess that you could describe the political style of these two men as “in your face politics.” Always be on the offensive, keep changing the narrative, keep your name in the headlines, never admit guilt or wrongdoing, and you will ultimately be rewarded with success.

What they also seem to have in common is a “top down” approach to governing. They both act as though they are smarter than everyone else in the room, and they will tell you how things are going to go down. They are also known for making promises that are hollow and unfulfilled.

When running for Governor, Andrew Cuomo promised to appoint a special Task Force on Natural Gas Drilling in the Southern Tier and abide by their recommendation. Once elected, he called his then brother-in-law, Bobby Kennedy Jr., about the issue. Kennedy was anti-fracking and anti-natural gas–so Cuomo ignored his promise and his commission’s recommendation and shut down natural gas drilling in the state. That moratorium is still in effect though millions in the state depend upon natural gas to heat their homes.

Similarly, Donald Trump promised that he could solve the Ukraine/Russian War in 24 hours if elected President. He made a similar promise that he would solve Israel’s war with Gaza. Both promises are still unfulfilled.

Promises are made not to be kept, but to win elections. That all comes from the hard-scrabble lessons learned in Queens.

It is interesting how politics seems to have been “turned on its head” now as one former Governor of New York from Queens is poised to be elected Mayor of the City of New York, primarily because it is expected that he will be the strongest and toughest in challenging another man from Queens who sits again in the Oval Office.

Yet, it could be that these two guys will get along. Their style of governing is the same, and they have a common bond with Bobby Kennedy Jr. who is now in the cabinet.

However, it works out between Cuomo and Trump…the Borough of Queens should be a winner.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.