ALBANY – Recent remarks by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo that America was “never that great” has drawn angry reaction from political opponents and even President Donald Trump.
Cuomo made the remarks at a bill signing and it drew gasps and a strong reaction from the audience.
State Sen. Catharine Young responded to WNYNewsNow regarding Cuomo’s comment.
“America always has been a shining beacon of freedom, hope and promise. I believe with all of my heart that our country is the greatest nation in the history of the world and I strongly disagree with the Governor’s assertions,” Young said.
Yesterday, Congressman Tom Reed posted his response.
“This is a shocking statement from our Governor. We believe that even with our imperfections, this nation and its people have always been great ,” Reed said.
After Cuomo’s remark caused backlash on social media, a press spokesperson issued a statement.
“Governor Cuomo disagrees with the President. The Governor believes America is great and that her full greatness will be fully realized when every man, woman, and child has full equality. America has not yet reached its maximum potential,” Press Secretary Dani Lever said. “When the President speaks about making America great again – going back in time – he ignores the pain so many endured and that we suffered from slavery, discrimination, segregation, sexism and marginalized women’s contributions. The Governor believes that when everyone is fully included and everyone is contributing to their maximum potential, that is when America will achieve maximum greatness.”
On Friday, during a conference call, Cuomo seemed to contradict his earlier comment as he tried to explain it.
“The expression I used the other day was inartful. So I want to be very clear. Of course America is great. And of course America has always been great. No one questions that. As you know my family is evidence of American greatness. My grandparents came to this country as poor immigrants and their son became governor and his son became governor. So that’s never been a question.,” Cuomo said. “My point, and the point I’ve been making since the Democratic Convention in 2016, is when Trump started talking about the slogan quote ‘Make America Great Again’ that what he believes establishes American greatness is not greatness at all.”
President Trump tweeted his response quickly yesterday.
“WE’RE NOT GOING TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, IT WAS NEVER THAT GREAT.” Can you believe this is the Governor of the Highest Taxed State in the U.S., Andrew Cuomo, having a total meltdown,” Trump responded.
Republican candidate for Governor, Marc Molinaro demanded Cuomo apologize and said he is ashamed of Cuomo.
“America has always been great,” Molinaro said on “Fox & Friends” on Thursday. “I was so ashamed and shocked that a man who has lived in privilege — he was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple — could think that America was never great.”
He said that America has its imperfections, but he said its promise, purpose, principles and people have always been great.
“I’m ashamed to think my governor doesn’t know that,” Molinaro said. “He owes New Yorkers and the American people an apology.”
Libertarian candidate Larry Sharpe discussed the issue on Fox Business with Kennedy.
He said he expected Cuomo to say something like this, comparing it to not being surprised when your dog barks.
Sharpe also said Cuomo is “whatever he thinks will get him to win.”
Cynthia Nixon, who is challenging Cuomo in the Democratic primary, said her candidacy is forcing Cuomo to posture on the left. She said Cuomo was trying to sound progressive and badly missed.
Dinesh D’Souza shared a video on Facebook in which his post stated “Even though the first Cuomo came here penniless and Andrew Cuomo is now Governor of New York, this pathetic ingrate insists America was never great.”