Two Democrats competing in a primary to face New York City’s billionaire incumbent mayor didn’t tussle over issues in their first official debate, but they did fight about money.
Democrats William Thompson Jr. and Tony Avella ignored each other throughout the debate on Wednesday night.
Instead, they attacked Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was not there. The Republican-turned-independent faces no primary challenger.
Thompson and Avella did argue once — about money, a hot topic in a race where the popular mayor is spending millions on his campaign.
Thompson compared his campaign to President Barack Obama’s grass-roots effort. Avella ridiculed the description because most of Thompson’s donations are not from small donors.
Though Bloomberg didn’t attend the debate, he’s doing plenty of talking through his massive advertising campaign. These days, it’s hard to watch television in New York City without seeing a commercial for the mayor.
In fact, a poll released Wednesday from Quinnipiac University shows that 78 percent of registered voters said they were familiar with the ads.
Of those who’ve seen the spots this year, 47 percent say they’re annoying; 41 percent say they’re informative.
The primary is Sept. 15.
(Source: CBS2 HD)
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2 Responses
How do these fellows expect to do a better job than Bloomberg? All NY can hope for if these guys win is aggravation.
Mayor Bloomberg should get on TV and radio and immediately apologize for having been so very successful. “Normal” Americans are not as successful as Mike Bloomberg has been. Our leaders should be from the “normal” sector of our society. All “abnormal” people such as brilliant scientists, successful entrepeneurs, brilliant Torah scholars et al should not be allowed to use their talents in public service. We should adopt a national policy that states that students should be given jobs and salaries directly related to their grades. 65 to 75 should be presidents and CEOs making at least $250,000 a year. If their interpersonal management skills don’t exist at all, give them a $100,000 bonus. Those with 90+ averages should not even get a job. Not normal.
Wake up Mr. Thomas. Mr. Bloomberg has billions of dollars and has a perfect legal and moral and ethical right to spend his money in order to win another term in office. The American people are not that stupid. If he truly was incompetent to serve as mayor, the people of NYC would not reelect him.