Gov. Andrew Cuomo graces the May 2020 cover of "Rolling Stone" magazine which will be be released May 5.
Cuomo, 62, spoke to the publication about rising to the occasion as governor and emerging as a source of comfort during the coronavirus pandemic.
For over a month, Cuomo has held daily briefings not just for New Yorkers, the magazine reports, but for all Americans seeking something "resembling competent national leadership."
"You can appear confident, but you're not going to fool New Yorkers, right? They're going to hear what you're saying and watch what you're doing. They'll make their own decision whether or not it makes sense," he said. "They've been watching what I'm doing for five, six weeks. So far, I think people think the actions we've taken make sense and are logical. I don't care how many times you go out and brief. If what you're doing doesn't make sense to them, they will lose confidence very quickly."
Cuomo shared personal anecdotes about his younger brother, CNN anchor, Chris Cuomo, who has tested positive for the coronavirus, and also spoke about lessons that he learned from his father, former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo.
"The trust between an elected official and the people they serve is everything. Trust and respect is everything. If you have to make a tough decision and you believe it's right, make it, and if people resent you for it, so be it, because you have to act in a way that fits your conscience and your heart," Cuomo said. "Yeah, that's all my father. That's everything I'm doing. And when you're tired and you can't work anymore, work harder."
He also addressed buzz of national political ambitions particularly regarding the upcoming November election, to which Cuomo responded that he is the governor of New York and is the job he is focused on doing.
"I said if elected, I will serve four years as governor of the state of New York. Period. And that's what I'm going to do. Period. It's all simpler than we make it. Say what you're going to do. Do what you say. Do it with honor. Do it with integrity. Do it with skill. And that's it. And you'll sleep well at the end of the day, even if it is a very long day."
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