Cuomo on his ‘inartful’ remark: ‘Of course America is great’

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday that he was “inartful” when he said earlier in the week that America “was never that great,” a comment that was widely condemned and mocked by critics on the right and left.

“I want to be very clear: Of course America is great and of course America has always been great,” Cuomo, a Democrat, told reporters on a conference call. “My family is evidence of American greatness.”

Cuomo’s appraisal of the nation was somewhat different Wednesday when, speaking at a Manhattan bill signing, he critiqued Republican President Donald Trump and his slogan, “Make America Great Again.”

“We’re not going to make America great again — it was never that great,” Cuomo told the audience, which reacted with gasps and laughter. “We have not reached greatness. We will reach greatness when every American is fully engaged.”

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The comment set off a wave of criticism of Cuomo, who is seeking a third term this fall and is considered a possible White House contender in 2020.

New York Republicans demanded an apology and purchased Cuomo a one-way bus ticket to Montreal. Trump tweeted that Cuomo was having a “total meltdown.” Cuomo primary challenger and former “Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon accused Cuomo of trying to sound like a liberal and failing. CBS late night host Stephen Colbert said the comment was “the dumbest thing you could say as a politician.”

After clarifying his thoughts to reporters, Cuomo said he has no plans to run for president but will continue his criticism of Trump, who was scheduled to attend a Long Island fundraiser Friday. Calling the president “vindictive, petty and small,” Cuomo said “Make America Great Again” reflects Trump’s desire to return America to a time of greater intolerance and inequality.

“Everything he does is repugnant to our values,” Cuomo said.