The Return of the Governor

<p>In recent years, governors have sat on the sidelines as the federal government has commanded most of the attention and airtime. Today, we explore how the pandemic has generated a revival of state and local politics — and made governors into national heroes. Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/alexander-burns?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">Alexander Burns</a>, who covers national politics for The New York Times. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>Governors of both parties have taken a<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/us/politics/governors-coronavirus-trump.html" target="_blank"> lead role in confronting the crisis</a>, asserting themselves in ways that have only highlighted the initial lack of seriousness from the White House.</li><li>With his widely watched coronavirus briefings, one governor in particular has stood out:<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/business/media/deblasio-coronavirus-response.html?searchResultPosition=6" target="_blank"> Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo</a>. Here’s how the leader of New York State has become a<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/nyregion/governor-andrew-cuomo-coronavirus.html?searchResultPosition=9" target="_blank"> figurehead for the Democratic Party</a>.</li></ul>