Cuomo: Government and leadership 'determines whether we thrive and grow or whether we live or die'

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday at the Democratic National Convention that the coronavirus pandemic showed America how “vulnerable we are when we are divided” and how many lives can be lost when our government is “incompetent.”

“Donald Trump didn’t create the initial division. The division created Trump. He only made it worse,” said Cuomo, a headline speaker on the opening night of the convention. “We have seen the truth. Government matters and leadership matters and it determines whether we thrive and grow or whether we live or die. Now we need a leader as good as our people – a leader who appeals to the best within us, not the worse.”

Cuomo, who frequently clashed with Trump over the handling of the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, also said America's eyes are now open.

"Joe Biden is what I call America tough, tough in the best way, tough that is smart, united, disciplined and loving. Joe Biden can restore the soul of America," he said. 

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn – a member of the Congressional Black Caucus whose endorsement of Biden before the South Carolina primary ultimately helped him with the party nomination – said Monday night that Biden is an “adopted son of South Carolina” who is as good a man as he is a leader.