Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Democratic Mayoral Candidates Debate on Local TV, (Daily News Debate)

I watched all the Democratic mayoral candidates debate here on WABC TV tonight...

They all seemed to have their lines down pretty pat. 

These are candidates who are very well groomed, so to speak, even Anthony Weiner.

Two notable things: Christine Quinn kept needling Weiner on the theme that "he has no right to criticize ANYBODY else in this race," and Weiner, who was standing next to her at his podium, looked at times like it was all he could do to maintain control.

Second was that all the other candidates savaged Quinn for fact that Bloomberg had a third term. (She helped push through change in law allowing this)...
She did a kind of fancy two step on this one-- but that of course is what pols do.

Next is from Daily News about the debate

Democratic mayoral hopefuls set to square off in News’ debate as primary race heats up

Christine Quinn, Bill Thompson, Bill de Blasio, John Liu and Anthony Weiner will face off in the first major broadcast debate of the Democratic race for mayor.


NYC PAPERS OUT. Social media use restricted to low res file max 184 x 128 pixels and 72 dpi

Richard Harbus/for New York Daily News

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has launched a TV campaign ad featuring his son Dante and his wife Chirlane McCray.

It's showtime.
The Democratic race for mayor enters a crucial new phase Tuesday as the top five candidates battle before an estimated 400,000 viewers in their first major broadcast debate.
The prime-time battle comes as the primary seems to be settling into a three-way fight among City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, former city Controller Bill Thompson and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio for two spots in a runoff.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn laughs while talking with people at a Lenox Hill Neighborhood House senior center.

Seth Wenig/AP

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn laughs while talking with people at a Lenox Hill Neighborhood House senior center.

The three Democrats — plus Controller John Liu and former Rep. Anthony Weiner — will take part in the hour-long debate, which will air live at 7 p.m. on Channel 7 and will be co-sponsored by the Daily News.
With four weeks to go in the Democratic primary, and the top candidates beginning to blitz TV viewers with campaign ads, the forum will give the candidates a chance to connect with many voters who are just beginning to pay attention.
RELATED: WEINER ADMITS SCANDAL HAS HURT HUMA'S CAREER
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner has seen a massive drop in polls in the wake of his revived sexting scandal.

Barry Williams/for New York Daily News

Former Rep. Anthony Weiner has seen a massive drop in polls in the wake of his revived sexting scandal.

“There’s still a fairly significant undecided (group of voters) and some of the supporters of each of the candidates are willing to be persuaded to go in another direction,” said political consultant Bill Cunningham.
“These debates are very important for people to finally put faces with names they’ve been reading and hearing about.”
WABC/Channel 7, Noticias 41 Univision and the League of Women Voters are co-sponsoring the debate with The News.
Former City Comptroller Bill Thompson recently undertook a 25 hour campaigning blitz, making 22 stops across the city.

Bryan Smith

Former City Comptroller Bill Thompson recently undertook a 25 hour campaigning blitz, making 22 stops across the city.

It’s the first of three major debates for the Democrats, with the others set for Aug. 21 and Sept. 3. The primary will be held Sept. 10.
“The stakes are high,” said Douglas Muzzio, a political science professor at Baruch College. With Quinn holding onto first place in many polls, he predicted fireworks between Thompson and de Blasio.
RELATED: STRINGER, SPITZER PULL NO PUNCHES IN SECOND CONTROLLER DEBATE
Controller John Liu's campaign has suffered a major setback after the Campaign Finance Board denied him matching funds worth as much as  $3 million.

Enid Alvarez/New York Daily News

Controller John Liu's campaign has suffered a major setback after the Campaign Finance Board denied him matching funds worth as much as  $3 million.

“It’s highly fluid, but clearly the increased attacks between the two of them clearly represent the belief that Weiner is out of it, and now it’s a fight for second place,” he said.
A runoff will take place unless one candidate gets more than 40% of the vote, which is seen as highly unlikely.
Liu had high hopes, but his candidacy has been hurt by an investigation into his fund-raising that led the Campaign Finance Board to deny him as much as $3 million in city funding for his campaign.
The hour-long debate is the first of the Democratic mayoral race.

The hour-long debate is the first of the Democratic mayoral race.

And Weiner’s poll numbers have plunged following revelations that he had a sexting relapse last summer — a year after he resigned from Congress for similar behavior.
A new Siena College poll Monday showed just how far Weiner has fallen: 80% of voters statewide view him unfavorably, a record for the poll. Only 11% view him favorably, and 68% said the national attention on New York due to Weiner and fellow comeback candidate Eliot Spitzer is “embarrassing.”
Quinn was endorsed Monday by the New York League of Conservation Voters, and de Blasio was backed by the Associated Musicians of Greater New York Local 802.

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