The first mayoral debate of New York City's election season was a lively, fact-filled, and at times funny ninety-minute match between Mayor Bill de Blasio and challenger Sal Albanese. The incumbent is spending $7 million on the contest. Albanese, a former city councilman, barely qualified to get on the podium in the first place. So, how'd they match up?
Among those on the panel questioning the two candidates was WNYC's Brian Lehrer, and he spoke with Richard Hake about his observations from last night.
"It was an issue-oriented debate," Brian said. "No one talked about the size of anyone's hands, or accused anyone's father of killing JFK. So, we were ahead of the game right from the start, compared to a certain race last year."
Listen above to hear Brian's full recap. Below are some of the observations listeners shared on Twitter.
Not a huge fan of Mayor de Blasio but I'd rather have him for four more years than Sal #NYCVotes
— Yint Hmu (@YintHmu) August 24, 2017
Lawd Baby Jesus, I can't deal with DeBlasio but Sal can't answer a straight question 🙄 #NYCVotes
— smittygrrl (@smittygrrl) August 24, 2017
i don't love a lot of things about @NYCMayor @BilldeBlasio, but i think he won the debate against @SalAlbaneseNYC #NYCVotes
— tolar eclipse of ❤️ (@tolar) August 24, 2017
@SalAlbaneseNYC was grossly underprepared for this debate. He needed policy specifics to make a dent. #NYCVotes
— Donald De Rosa (@donaldderosa) August 24, 2017
Takeaway fm #NYCVotes #NY1debate regarding @BilldeBlasio: Confident, almost smug. 2 much "You don't know the facts." Points for policy.
— Joe Bello (@NYMetroVets) August 24, 2017
Yes there's dissatisfaction w/BDB's 1st term, but universal pre-K is a real game changer that positively impacts families lives. #NYCvotes
— Marc Krupanski (@PolicingWatch) August 24, 2017
Sal spent most of his time criticizing DeBlasio-ok fair enough but he was weak on his ideas of how to address housing subway etc #NYCVotes
— Mary Andrews (@mizzmarymary) August 24, 2017
I know NYC residents are luke-warm at best about @BilldeBlasio, but I'd take him & anyone else to be Maine Governor. #NYCVotes
— Leighton (@Leighton_GM) August 24, 2017
It's trippy watching @BrianLehrerTV talk IRL instead of just hearing him on my radio. #nycvotes
— Rachel Bloom (@TheRachelBloom) August 24, 2017