Lhosa wants more debates with DeBlasio- NY Times

I am not surprised Mr. Lhota wants more debates with Bill DeBlasio-- the Democrat has had all the publicity of the primaries and everyone knows who he is pretty much whereas Lhota has been pretty much ignored by the press. Also noted here is that the Clintons , political powerhouses with great popularity in NYC, have come out for DeBlasio.

This is from the NY Times

Lhota, Behind in Another Poll, Wants More Debates With de Blasio

By THOMAS KAPLAN and KATE TAYLOR

Published: September 19, 2013

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google+
• Save
• E-mail
• Share
• Print
• Reprints
• 

Joseph J. Lhota, faced on Thursday with another poll showing him far behind Bill de Blasio in New York’s mayoral race, proposed holding weekly debates, hoping they might alter the dynamics of the contest.

Related Coverage

• Poverty Rate Is Up in New York City, and Income Gap Is Wide, Census Data Show

  Sep 18, 2013
• De Blasio Remains Above Threshold for Runoff in Updated Primary Results

  Sep 18, 2013
• Clintons, in Statement, Back de Blasio for Mayor

  Sep 18, 2013

Issues

Jobs and Unemployment

“We need a wholesale reform of our city’s tax incentive programs.”

Bill de Blasio, Democrat

Mr. Lhota, a Republican, said that the two city-sponsored debates, which are already scheduled for late October, are insufficient, and that the men should face off in all five boroughs. 

“I think it’s important that we go out to the people, and they see the contrast between the two of us,” he said in an afternoon news conference on the steps of City Hall, adding, “We have two very, very different philosophies.”

Mr. de Blasio, speaking to reporters in the Bronx, did not accept or reject Mr. Lhota’s proposal.

“We are going to figure out the best way to go about debates, and most importantly the televised debate program where most people have the opportunity to see the contrast between the candidates — and you will see plenty of contrast,” said Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat. “I guarantee there will be a good number of debates. I look forward to them.” 

Mr. Lhota made his proposal shortly after another poll showed Mr. de Blasio with a commanding lead, underscoring the long odds Mr. Lhota faces in a city where Democrats far outnumber Republicans. 

In the new poll, released by Quinnipiac University, Mr. de Blasio had the support of 66 percent of likely voters, compared with 25 percent for Mr. Lhota. The Independence Party candidate, Adolfo Carrión Jr., received 2 percent. 

A poll of likely voters released on Tuesday by WNBC, The Wall Street Journal and Marist College showed Mr. de Blasio with a 43-point lead. 

The Quinnipiac poll found strong support for Mr. de Blasio among men and women, and across every income, education and age group. Ninety percent of black voters supported him, as did 68 percent of Hispanic voters and 52 percent of white voters. 

More voters viewed Mr. Lhota unfavorably than favorably, which may be a consequence of the barrage of negative television advertisements that a Republican rival, John A. Catsimatidis, broadcast during the primary. 

The poll, conducted by telephone from Sunday to Wednesday, included 891 likely voters and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points.