Despite his growing stature within the Democratic Party, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is skipping most of the Democratic National Convention next month because, he said, he is too busy with his day job in New York.
Asked at a news conference on Tuesday why he was taking a “passive role†at the convention, Mr. Cuomo responded, “Because I am governor of the State of New York, and I have a lot to do as governor of the State of New York, and I want to do the best job I can as the governor of the State of New York, and I do that best being in New York.â€
Democrats plan to gather for their convention from Sept. 4 through 6 in Charlotte, N.C. Mr. Cuomo is planning to attend only the final day of the convention, when President Obama will accept his party's nomination at the Bank of America Stadium.
Mr. Cuomo, who took office last year, has shunned out-of-state political events during his time as governor. He has routinely skipped meetings of the National Governors Association as well as the Democratic Governors Association, and he rarely travels outside New York State.
