It Happens This—and Next—Week: August 22 to September 5
• Green Day at Giants Stadium.
• Martha Stewart freed!
• HBO’s Rome premieres.
• U.S. Open opens.
• The Hamptons Classic Horse Show.

(Photo: Mitchell Levy/Globe Photos)

Mario Cuomo Does ‘The Lean’
Accused of throwing weight around to get son elected A.G.
If Andrew Cuomo wants your support for attorney general in 2006, chances are you’ll be hearing from his father, Mario. Insiders call the former governor’s efforts “the lean.” Mario reportedly corralled a couple of big labor supporters for his son recently. And while the unions deny Mario’s involvement, Cuomo foes charge that Mario is twisting arms and calling in chits from his years as governor. Charlie King, who’s also seeking the Dem nod for A.G., says he’s repeatedly been told by would-be backers that Mario got to them first, adding, “On primary day, Andrew’s gonna have to face the voters alone.” “Andrew without Mario is like Jesse Ventura without steroids,” cracks another rival’s aide. One tale circulating among Dems has it that Mario agreed to endorse Manhattan D.A. Bob Morgenthau at a recent press conference, but the Cuomos made it clear that Andrew would have to be included in the event. “If you want Mario to stand with your guy, everyone knows you have to include his son,” says a source knowledgeable about the episode. Cuomo adviser Jennifer Cunningham responds, “Of course Mario supports Andrew. But people are supporting Andrew because he’s the best candidate on the merits.”
—Greg Sargent