Karen Hinton has spent most of her career as a communication strategist for politicians,

the person behind the scenes, helping craft messages for Democrats.

Would you describe yourself as a political flack?

Is that like a pejorative?

No, I don't take offense to flack.

I've been called that many times.

Karen spent a lot of time on the coasts, New York, California.

There was a stint or two in D.C.

But she's from Mississippi.

When I asked her to explain what flacks do, day in, day out,

she had this delightfully Southern way of putting it.

Sometimes politicians pick message points, and I might say, well, I don't think that really

works best for you.

And then I try to come up with something that I think is more direct, more honest, and more appealing to voters or to constituents.

Right now, the politician, Karen's hoping, will be more honest with his constituents, is Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York.

You probably remember Cuomo is facing allegations that he fostered a toxic work environment, one that was especially hostile to women. His own attorney general is investigating him, but Cuomo is still leading the state. If you were advising Governor Cuomo right now, what would you be telling him?

I would tell him to resign.

It sounds like he doesn't really want that advice.

No, absolutely not. I mean, he wants to write it out. He wants to stick it out.

And he's done that throughout his career.

And he's following that path again.

Karen knows Andrew Cuomo. Like I said, she's been a flack for a long time.

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