Cuomo Says He Is Not Looking to Get Into a ‘Political Dispute’ With Trump

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) says he is “a tangler,” but in the midst of a global pandemic, he does not want to get into a political fight with President Donald Trump.

“As far as the president’s comment about having a political contest with me, I am not engaging the president in politics,” Cuomo said. “My only goal is to engage the president in partnership. This is no time for politics.”

He continued:

“I’m not going to get into a political dispute with the president. I’m not going to rise to the bait of a political challenge. I’m not running for president. I was never running for president. I said from day one I wasn’t running for president. I’m not running for president now. I’m not playing politics. I just want a partnership to deal with this.”

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Cuomo continued to say that he would thank the president when New York gets what it needs, and will not be afraid to say if Trump does not give the state the help it needs.

“If you’re doing the right thing by New York, I’ll say it. If he’s doing the wrong thing by New York … or the rest of the country, I’ll say it.”

Finally, he said his decision to refrain from engaging in a political dispute was not because of a lack of willingness. Instead, he said, “I think it’s inappropriate, and I think it’s counterproductive, and I think it’s anti-American.”

He added, “Forget the politics. We have a national crisis. We are at war. There is no politics. There is no red and blue. It’s red, white and blue. So, let’s get over it and lead by example.”

Cuomo’s comments come as a recent poll found that his approval rating jumped 27 points to its highest point since 2013.

Additionally, Trump said he “wouldn’t mind” running against Cuomo in the general election. However, Cuomo has ruled out running for president for the time being.