New York Governor Kathy Hochul found herself at the receiving end of sharp criticism following her lackluster speech at the Democratic National Convention. The speech, which left many attendees and viewers unimpressed, quickly became the subject of ridicule on social media, as reported by Fox News.

Kicking off her address, Hochul made an awkward misstep by asking the audience if they were ready to elect Vice President Kamala Harris as the “first President of the United States,” seemingly forgetting to specify “female” in her statement. The gaffe set the tone for what would become a widely panned performance.

The audience’s attention seemed to dwindle only a few minutes into her speech, particularly when Hochul launched into an attack on former President Donald Trump. She accused Trump of lacking “New York values” and labeled him a “fraud, a philanderer, and a felon.” In a failed attempt to draw laughs or applause, Hochul quipped, “It’s no wonder he had to flee to Mar-a-Lago. Sorry about that, Florida.” Her attempt to deliver a memorable line with, “New York’s motto is ‘excelsior: ever upward,’ and Trump takes us ever downward,” fell flat, with the crowd showing little to no reaction.

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Commentators didn’t hold back in their criticism. Boston Herald columnist Grace Curley wondered aloud, “Is Kathy Hochul always that bad, or is she just having an off night?” Pundit Jake Novak replied succinctly, “Always,” while columnist David Marcus remarked, “Kathy Hochul is the substitute teacher other substitute teachers make fun of.”

Even Semafor Washington bureau chief Benjy Sarlin couldn’t resist a jab, joking, “People will say this ran way too long, but what are you supposed to do, not give Kathy Hochul a speech?” The Trump War Room Twitter account also took aim, accusing Hochul of boasting about “weaponizing the legal system to convict President Trump of 34 bogus legal felonies in the most cringe and fake possible way.”

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As the evening wore on, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., garnered a much more enthusiastic response from the audience. Her reception was so overwhelming that some onlookers speculated whether she might consider challenging Hochul for the governor’s seat.

This criticism comes as Hochul’s approval ratings continue to plummet. A recent Siena College survey revealed that only 44% of voters approve of her performance, while 50% disapprove—a record low for the Democratic governor. Additionally, her favorability rating has dipped to 38%, with 49% viewing her unfavorably.

Hochul assumed the role of governor in 2021 after Andrew Cuomo’s resignation and was elected to a full term in 2022 by a relatively narrow margin of less than seven points. This is a stark contrast to Cuomo’s 23-point victory in 2018, highlighting the growing discontent with Hochul’s leadership in the deeply blue state of New York.