Oh boy, folks — this one was hard to watch. If Governor Kathy Hochul was trying to prove she’s ready for a national spotlight, her recent CNN appearance with John Berman did the exact opposite. Let’s just say it was less “leader of the Empire State” and more “deer in the headlights.”
The interview, which should have been a cakewalk — especially on CNN, a network historically generous to Democrats — quickly spiraled into awkward territory. It started with a simple, fair question: Did Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer make the right move by pushing through the House Republicans’ continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown? A straight-shooter could’ve answered that in ten seconds. Instead, Hochul crumbled into recycled talking points and finger-pointing.
NEW: Kathy Hochul awkwardly responds, “Thank you,” after CNN’s John Berman calls out her “notable non-answer” about Chuck Schumer.
Wow. Just embarrassing. Painful to watch.
BERMAN: “Do you think it [Schumer’s choice to let the spending bill go through] was the right decision?”… pic.twitter.com/c0bGu9FD0R
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) March 21, 2025
“They [Republicans] created the chaos,” she said, parroting what sounded like a preloaded soundbite straight from DNC headquarters. Berman, no fire-breather himself, pressed again. Surely, the Governor of New York could give a coherent answer on whether her fellow New Yorker in the Senate did the right thing. Nope. She doubled down with the same robotic line. That’s when Berman — politely but clearly unimpressed — called it what it was: “a notable non-answer.”
And then came the moment that made political watchers collectively spit out their coffee. Hochul, apparently misunderstanding sarcasm at lightning speed, actually said, “Thank you.”
Yikes.
This wasn’t just a cringe-worthy moment; it was a red flag flapping in 4K. If Hochul can’t handle gentle prodding from CNN — not exactly known for grilling Democrats — what happens when she faces real scrutiny? You can’t coast on buzzwords and blame forever, especially when your own party is in full-on meltdown.
The budget battle has exposed the Democratic caucus for what it currently is: fragmented, leaderless, and flailing. Schumer’s move to back the GOP-led resolution wasn’t a bold play — it was a surrender. And instead of defending or critiquing it with substance, Hochul malfunctioned into a soundbite loop.
Even more telling? The Democratic establishment seems increasingly out of sync. Pelosi wants Schumer under the bus. The far-left wants AOC behind the wheel. And while all this unfolds, Hochul’s best idea is to “thank” a host for pointing out she has no answer?
