Gov. Cuomo Tuesday definitively ruled out running for President in 2020.
"I am ruling it out," Cuomo said during an appearance on WNYC's "The Brian Lehrer Show." "I ran for governor (in November). I have a full plate. I have many projects. I'm going to be here doing the job as governor."
During an August Democratic gubernatorial primary debate with actress Cynthia Nixon, he said he planned to serve a full four-year term if reelected to a third term unless "God strikes me dead."
But that didn't stop many political insiders on both sides of the aisle from believing he might still consider entering the race once he was safely re-elected.
"I'm governor of New York and I have a lot to do," Cuomo said dismissing the speculation.
But the governor did have specific thoughts of the characteristics a Democrats presidential candidate should have, many of which he has used to describe himself.
"It's not going to be enough to be anti-Trump," Cuomo said. "We need a candidate who brings credibility and experience... to the job and can connect with the people we lost as Democrats -- the working men and women of this country who went with Trump because of the void let by the Democratic party."
He said it's important the Dems pick someone with a record and a platform people believe can work--and not "an abstract theoretical elected official."
The party, Cuomo said, needs someone "who can also make government work to improve people's lives. If you don't touch people and you don't improve their lives, then you have failed. Rhetoric only takes you so far."
"People heard rhetoric from the Democratic party for a lot of years and saw no difference in their lives," he added. "That's why out of desperation they went and they voted for Trump because he seemed different and he promised (to) fill the void that the Democrats left."
(c)2018 New York Daily News
