Andrew Cuomo. (Photo: Getty)

With only a handful of days left in this year's legislative session in which to enact his policy agenda, Gov. Andrew Cuomo pushed hard on one of his signature issues today: the Women's Equality Act. Sitting before the media at a State Capitol press conference, Mr. Cuomo repeatedly took swipes at both his critics and the press for what he said was an unfair depiction of the bill.

"The language on the choice issue is different than what the opponents have suggested," Mr. Cuomo said at one point, for instance.  "Different than what the press has been writing, frankly ...  Go back and look at the stories you guys wrote--none of that is accurate."

Stressing that there is no "extension" or "expansion" of abortion in the bill, Mr. Cuomo went on to castigate "fear-mongering" on the part of those who would say otherwise.

"When it comes to the issue of choice, as we've said from the very beginning, the language will affirm a women's right," he said. "There is no 'extension.' The fear-mongering is just that: it's fear-mongering. There is a simplicity and clarity to the choice language. You are pro-choice or you are not pro choice; it's okay to have a disagreement."

Specifically, Mr. Cuomo argued the bill simply brings state law into conformity with federal regulations decades after the Supreme Court's landmark, 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide. Mr. Cuomo also touted the other nine parts of the Women's Equality Act, including proposals to address workplace discrimination and domestic violence.

As Mr. Cuomo suggested, of course, abortion foes have a passionate disagreement with his legislation. The president of the Catholic League, for example, declared today that Mr. Cuomo's potential White House ambitions are harmed by the language.

"Andrew Cuomo's lust for abortion rights has effectively killed his chances of ever becoming president of the United States," the president, Bill Donahue, said. "Once he ventures outside the Empire State he will find out--the way his father Mario did--just how out of touch he is with public sentiment on this life and death issue."

The bill can be expected to easily pass the heavily Democratic State Assembly. Whether or not it will even reach the floor in the State Senate, controlled by Republicans and a small band of Democrats, is unclear.

Joe Carvin (Photo: Capital Tonight)

Joe Carvin is taking an interesting path in his quest to unseat Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand this year.

Last night, the recently announced candidate, who's also a wealthy hedge-fund manager and town supervisor for Rye up in Westchester County, told Capital Tonight's Liz Benjamin he's "absolutely" pro-choice and Congressman Paul Ryan is "my hero."

When asked if his pro-choice stance could be a problem in a conservative Republican primary, Mr. Carvin replied, "No, not at all. I think what we have to focus on is what's fundamental. I think unfortunately the social issues are more of a distraction."

Mr. Carvin moved on to doubt the significance of social issues in a candidate's biography, saying he doesn't know what a pro-life candidate "really means."

"We have settled law in Roe v. Wade," he explained. "I can't imagine that somebody thinks they're going to be elected to the Senate and overturn Roe v. Wade."

Ms. Benjamin tried to connect the issue to something tangible and see how Mr. Carvin would vote on it. When asked whether he supports the controversial Blunt Amendment, which would allow an opt-out for contraception in health care coverage, Mr. Carvin basically declined to comment.

"I don't have a view on the Blunt Amendment," he responded. "What I want to talk about is the fiscal crisis."

The solution to the fiscal situation, he said, was "fundamental entitlement reform." Even though Democrats in New York have successfully hammered Republicans for supporting Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan's Medicaid-cutting economic plan, Mr. Carvin embraced it entirely.

"Paul is my hero," he said. "I'm running because Paul Ryan needs help. Paul Ryan is my hero."

Two other GOP candidates are currently campaigning in for the June 26th primary: Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos and attorney Wendy Long.