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Cuomo, In DNC Address, Says Biden Can Restore The Nation's 'Soul'

Office of N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew Cuomo, during a brief video address at the first night of the Democratic National Convention, spoke of New York’s struggles overcoming the coronavirus, and why he thinks Biden needs to win in November.

Cuomo said New Yorkers listened to their “better angels” and obeyed shut down orders, wore masks and socially distanced, in an effort to transform the state from the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic to having one of the lowest rates of transmission in the nation. And he thanked the 30,000 medical workers who came to the aid of the state. But Cuomo says six months into the pandemic, many other states are still struggling with high rates of infection. He said COVID is “the symptom, not the illness” of a nation “in crisis”.

“Donald Trump didn’t create the initial division. The division created Trump. He only made it worse,” said Cuomo, who likened the federal government to an immune system that is “dysfunctional and incompetent.”

“It couldn’t fight off the virus,” he continued. “In fact, it didn’t even see it coming.”

Cuomo also described why he thinks former Vice President Joe Biden needs to replace Trump as President, saying “Biden will bring us up, not tear us down”.

“Joe Biden can restore the soul of America,” said Cuomo.

And Cuomo said he believes that is what is needed.

Karen has covered state government and politics for New York State Public Radio, a network of 10 New York and Connecticut stations, since 1990. She is also a regular contributor to the statewide public television program about New York State government, New York Now. She appears on the reporter’s roundtable segment, and interviews newsmakers.