Democratic New York State gubernatorial hopeful Andrew Cuomo marches in...

Democratic New York State gubernatorial hopeful Andrew Cuomo marches in the Columbus Day Parade, Monday. (Oct. 11, 2010) Credit: AP

Barring a bizarre turnaround - perhaps as early as tonight's seven-way debate - you may want to start pronouncing the Democrat's name as Andrew Karma.

The chatter out of this governor's debate at Hofstra will be about "knockout blows" and "testy exchanges" and who "scored points." That's typical.

But something uncanny has led up to this: A remarkable tendency among Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's rivals and detractors to fall into serious trouble.

Cuomo's good-karma period began in 2006. After winning a three-way primary for AG against Mark Green and Sean Patrick Maloney, Cuomo beat Republican Jeanine Pirro amid a statewide Democratic sweep. Remember that Pirro had started to run for U.S. Senate. But that effort sputtered and she changed contests. By September came the distraction of her admittedly having discussed planting bugging devices on the boat of her unfaithful then-husband.

"Judge" Pirro now presides over a TV courtroom.

Eliot Spitzer won the governorship four years ago. As described in a book by his former senior adviser Lloyd Constantine, Spitzer was - with reason, the author claims - a disparager of Cuomo early on. Remember the AG's probe of "Troopergate"? Bitterness prevailed in the executive chamber. Later came Spitzer's famous implosion-by-hooker.

Spitzer now has a TV show too.

Conceivably, ex-Comptroller Alan Hevesi might once have posed a Cuomo threat. Not now, though. Since late 2006, his TV gigs have been in the style of perp walks.

In February, Gov. David A. Paterson declared for governor. The campaign lasted about a week. It ended amid a scandal over how his office handled a domestic abuse charge against an aide.

Paterson says he doesn't know what he'll do next year. Memo to NBC: He's good on "Saturday Night Live."

At one point, Thomas Suozzi eyed the lieutenant governorship under Paterson. But then he lost re-election as Nassau executive.

Suffolk Executive Steve Levy became a Republican, to run for governor, but the GOP convention kept him off the ballot. Rick Lazio won the convention, kept blasting Cuomo - then lost a primary to Carl Paladino. Paladino's campaign has since been, let's just say, one wild ride.

Is Cuomo's luck to date the residue of design? If so, how? That debate is for another day.

Tonight, the candidates get TV time - good training for those who will lose.

Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

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