In the recent aftermath of a major snowstorm that blanketed New York and much of New England, Governor Kathy Hochul found herself in the spotlight, but perhaps not for the reasons she would have hoped. With a flurry of snow piled high and her constituents looking bewildered, she decided to take action. But instead of donning a shovel and digging into the wintry mess, she opted for a rather curious solution: a social media video dishing out “expert” snow shoveling tips. One may wonder why a Buffalo native would need to give lessons on something most people have tackled before they could tie their shoes.
In her video, Hochul provided what she called “pro tips” for shoveling snow, suggesting folks to push the snow rather than lift it—advice that would surely make any winter veteran chuckle. After all, pushing snow out of the way is not exactly rocket science, but maybe she thought it would score her some brownie points with her chilly constituents. Contrary to the usual showdown one might expect between a seasoned New Yorker and the elements, it came off more like a community theater production where the lead actor forgot their lines.
The timing of Hochul’s video raised eyebrows, with some critics suggesting that this was less an act of community service and more a political maneuver aimed at boosting her image on social media. After all, it’s hard to overlook the fact that numerous politicians across the country seem to have a flair for theatrics when it comes to natural disasters. Much like when Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer portrayed herself as the neighborhood hero from her backyard, Hochul’s shoveling escapades left many wondering—was she seeking likes and shares more than genuine concern for her fellow New Yorkers?
From the comments floating around in various circles, it appears that many felt a strong sense of déjà vu. Memories of Cory Booker, the former mayor of Newark, bravely battling flames while others called it a day popped into their heads. It really does seem that during times of crisis, some politicians will jump on any opportunity to remind voters that they’re just like us. Except, of course, they often seem to lack the actual know-how. In the grand scheme of things, Hochul’s snow saga may have subliminally echoed the sentiments of countless hard-working New Yorkers—the ones who spend chilly winters clearing their driveways while the governor films her next splashy social media moment.
Further highlighting the disconnect, another Democratic figure, the new mayor of New York City, Zoran Mamdani, decided to join the snow-shoveling fun as well, despite having little experience in any real work. The irony wasn’t lost on observers who pointed out how these political figures seem to make a habit of stepping into the spotlight, but not necessarily towards helping their communities in substantial ways. Perhaps an idea for a different photo-op could involve attending snow removal workshops instead of filming flashy videos.
Amid the snowdrifts and the buzz of social media, perhaps what would serve citizens best is a heartfelt acknowledgment of their resilience during weather trials—not just well-meaning but misguided videos tossed into the digital void. With countless kids across neighborhoods grabbing their shovels and doing the hard work, it might remind those in positions of power that sometimes, actions really do speak louder than words—or in this case, video tips. While the snow may melt away, the memories of how leaders choose to engage with their communities, especially during challenging times, will surely remain long after the storm has passed.
