CNN)New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is winning praise for his forceful, no-nonsense response to his state's coronavirus disaster, inviting comparisons to Rudy Giuliani's leadership after September 11. But Giuliani was fighting a battle -- and quickly squandered his capital. We are in a war and need a dogged leader with long-term vision.
We need Cuomo to be Winston Churchill.
Up against a bewildering, metastasizing enemy, Cuomo has so far shown decisive, forceful leadership. During a Friday press conference, he announced he was putting his state "on pause" with an executive order that directed almost all workers -- except those deemed essential -- to stay home. "This is the most drastic action we can take," Cuomo said. It was typical of his recent appearances -- factual and frightening, but delivered with a reassuring dash of paternalism.