LIZ PEEK: Cuomo stands between NYC and chaos — Sliwa should know when to exit

The only people who might have enjoyed watching the first part New York City Discussing mayoral candidate are real estate brokers in florida. They know more transplants will come their way.

For New Yorkers, the encounter reinforced what many of us have already concluded: The only person with a deep knowledge of New York City who supports sensible policies on policing, transportation, and expanding vocational schools is the founder of the Republican Guardian Angels. Curtis Sliwa – which has almost zero chance of winning. For the sake of the city to which he dedicated his life, Sliwa must withdraw from the race. now.

Otherwise, the competition will come down to a choice between the bad and the terrible, or perhaps as the governor of Arkansas put it. Sarah Huckabee Sanders“Normal and crazy.”

Mamdani clashes with his rivals in a heated debate less than three weeks before the next mayor of New York City is chosen

Here are the five most important points from the discussion:

1. It was a terrible debate.

Moderators spent more time interrupting speakers than candidates did speaking. They seemed particularly keen to join forces with former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Poor Curtis Sliwa was ignored; I get it – the attention was on the major candidates, but it was extremely disrespectful.

2. State Assemblyman Zahran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist who won the Democratic primary and is consistently ahead in the polls, was as sleek as hair oil.

He bobbed and weaved, as he had throughout the campaign. Mamdani was also smiling and punctuating every comment with a distinctive smile; For someone who is only 33 years old and, as Andrew Cuomo pointed out, has never held a real job, he’s actually quite happy with himself.

He has sidestepped important questions and backed away from previous statements and evasions, such as whether he would defend Israel’s right to exist (he still claims the Jewish state committed genocide in Gaza) and whether he would abandon Hamas. Finally, he agreed that the violent Hamas thugs should lay down their weapons, but this did not happen easily.

Mamdani torn by rivals over unpopular stance during fiery debate in New York City: ‘Will not support Israel’

He denied calling for the legalization of prostitution, which angered the Muslim community, and is now demanding instead the decriminalization of the sex trade. Perhaps most importantly for New Yorkers, when asked how he would pay for all the freebies he promised voters, he offered ready answers about making the rich pay more, but he was not convincing.

3. Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor and the only option for those who see the web of deception created by Mamdani, brought some energy to the debate, something he failed to do during the primary campaign.

He was better prepared, but still not ready to respond with the kinds of polished soundbites that Mamdani mastered. The young Democratic Socialist spent much of the evening attacking Cuomo, as did Sliwa. This has undermined his ability to deliver a smart agenda for the city.

Top 5 moments from fiery NYC mayoral debate: ‘He never had a job’

Still, Cuomo has raised some cries that should resonate with voters, just as he rightly said that being mayor of the citadel of capitalism is no place for on-the-job training.

4. Republican Curtis Sliwa, a well-meaning and respectable man by all accounts, appears to have missed the memo that Cuomo is the only realistic alternative to Mamdani.

He spent a lot of time attacking the former ruler, when he should have been attacking Mamdani for his naivety and inexperience. His deep involvement with New York Law enforcement Over the years it gives Salwa credibility.

He gave an excellent answer when asked how he would handle the complexity of running a huge city, saying he would hire people with the experience and knowledge to do so. This, by the way, is the key for anyone who has succeeded in this very difficult task.

Saliwa’s worst moment was when he appointed George Pataki as his preferred president. He obviously didn’t hear this question, but it was embarrassing.

5. The unhappiest person in New York this morning is Governor Kathy Hochul.

When asked to raise their hands to show their support for the governor, neither candidate complied. It’s been deadly, especially since then Hochul He recently went out on a limb to endorse Mamdani. Obviously, she did not ask him to endorse her in return. Talk about a rookie mistake!

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New Yorkers face a choice: election Zahran Mamdaniwho has no credentials, to take over a city with 300,000 employees and a budget of $115 billion, or choose Andrew Cuomoa much flawed but experienced replacement.

Voters who jump aboard the Mamdani train should recognize the grave danger that his promises to raise taxes and promote anti-business measures like rent freezes will accelerate the exodus of businesses and residents to leave New York. His anti-Israel rhetoric is hardly convincing Anti-Semitism It should also worry New Yorkers.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. New Yorkers elected Bill de Blasio, a progressive leftist, and immediately saw a massive decline in quality of life — with dirtier streets, higher crime rates, and a steady flow of residents and businesses. Mamdani’s election promises more of the same.

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There is still a chance that a higher-than-expected voter turnout could erode Mamdani’s lead. Bill de Blasio He was elected to his second term by 8.5% of New Yorkers; Surely the people who live in this great city can do better than that.

But, to facilitate Cuomo’s victory, Sliwa must withdraw. It’s not too late.

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