Andrew Cuomo finally lands punches against smug Zohran Mamdani in NYCs last debate before the mayoral election
Andrew Cuomo actually ate his Wheaties.The former governor, who has run his entire mayoral campaign with the energy of an IPhone battery at 2%, looked a little like his old fighting self at Wednesday’s debate — the last of this three-way mayoral race.After a listless performance during last week’s debate, the Independent candidate finally landed some significant punches on frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, including the charges of antisemitism that continue to dog the Democratic nominee.“You’re the savior of the Jewish people now?” Cuomo said dismissively when Mamdani said he wants to not just “protect” Jewish New Yorkers but also “celebrate” and “cherish” them.Mamdani arrived at the debate on a city bus, walking in like Aaron Judge strolling up to the plate.
He certainly has a flair for showmanship, as well as a rhetorical gift and an undeniable charisma.But his resume, as Republican Curtis Sliwa noted in one of his best zingers, “could fit on a cocktail napkin.”Cuomo seized on that flimsy CV and Mamdani’s political naivete.On a few occasions, he schooled his young opponent on the dynamics of city and state government, saying that actual mayoral powers will prohibit Mamdani from making good on his campaign promises, including a rent freeze.Cuomo called the 34-year-old’s everything-is-free pledges “political blather” as he hammered Mamdani on his absenteeism in the State Assembly and his inattention to affordability issues while in Albany.“This man never even proposed a bill on housing,” Cuomo railed.Mamdani tossed Cuomo’s record and sexual harassment allegations back in his face, saying, “The issue is that we experienced your experience.”The young upstart, coasting on his lead, mostly offered his smug smarmy perma-smile in place of real answers.
It’s simply off-putting.Once again, he relied on platitudes, regularly noting his two opponents are living in the past, man! He’s the only candidate offering a vision for the fu...