Zohran Mamdani to face barrage of attacks from Andrew Cuomo as NYC mayoral debate gives pols a final shot at gaining ground

Andrew Cuomo is preparing to launch a series of attacks on Zohran Mamdani at the first mayoral debate for the New York City general election on Thursday, aiming to close the gap with the leading candidate.

The former governor is expected to revive his lagging campaign by targeting the far-left Democratic nominee, particularly regarding his pro-prostitution views and a contentious photograph taken with an anti-LGBTQ Ugandan official, analysts suggest.

“Cuomo will be working tirelessly to destabilize Mamdani and reveal him as the radical he claims to be,” commented Andrew Kirtzman, a seasoned communications strategist.

“However, I haven’t seen Mamdani stumble on significant issues this campaign—he’s impressively quick on his feet.”

Cuomo, a three-term Democratic governor who resigned in 2021 amidst a series of scandals, faces the challenge of balancing an aggressive discrediting of his opponent without appearing overly arrogant, as experts caution.

To sway undecided voters and rejuvenate his political ambitions, Cuomo must tactfully manage his offensive while avoiding the perception of being an arrogant blowhard.

Mamdani, a lawmaker from Queens who ascended to the state Assembly in 2020, enters the debate at 30 Rockefeller Center significantly more recognized than during the Democratic primary debates when he was largely unknown.

Since his surprising victory in June, where he defeated the long-standing politician Cuomo, the proud socialist has climbed in the polls, maintaining a robust lead in the double digits over his rivals.

Yet, he has not secured over 50% support among New Yorkers in any poll, while Cuomo’s campaign has seen a revival of supporters following Mayor Eric Adams’ exit from the race last month.

A political insider indicated that Cuomo ought to discover a resonant line of attack, predicting that he will focus on the disputed July image of Mamdani with Rebecca Kadaga, former Ugandan speaker who advocated for laws imposing severe penalties on LGBTQ individuals.

During the debate, Cuomo and Mamdani will share the stage with the Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, whose extensive experience as a radio host could enable him to deliver sharp remarks.

There is speculation that a collaboration between Cuomo and Sliwa might put Mamdani on edge, according to some political observers.

“We should keep an eye on whether Curtis and Cuomo can coordinate their efforts, whether by design or by happenstance, to catch Mamdani off guard,” noted the insider.

“Curtis is articulate and has some clever quips up his sleeve,” they added. “However, if the interaction becomes a mere brawl among the three, it likely won’t change public opinion.

Other commentators believe the exchanges will have minimal impact on voter preferences but note they could provide entertaining television.

“Voter perceptions are largely established. So, these debates are unlikely to change poll numbers,” stated veteran Democratic strategist Ken Frydman.

“Yet, they’ll certainly make for engaging political theater,” he continued. “Cuomo will challenge Mamdani, labeling him a socialist and an Israel critic, who has associations with an anti-gay politician from Uganda. In turn, Mamdani will retaliate by highlighting Cuomo’s failures during the pandemic and the sexual harassment scandals surrounding him.”

For those eager to catch the debate, note that NBC will only air the initial hour before shifting to their three-hour “Law & Order” block at 8 p.m.

To continue viewing the discussion among candidates vying for the leadership of America’s largest city, New Yorkers will need to switch to a digital stream.

When and where is the debate scheduled?

The debate kicks off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, taking place at the iconic 30 Rockefeller Center studios.

It is co-hosted by NBC 4 New York/WNBC, Telemundo 47/WNJU, and Politico New York.

How can the debate be viewed?

The first hour will be available on cable via NBC and Telemundo. For those without cable or a TV antenna, DIRECTV offers an excellent option with a free trial.

At 8 p.m., it will stream only on NBC’s digital platform. Additionally, Politico and the Campaign Finance Board will provide a full stream of the debate.

Who are the candidates participating?

Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani

Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa

Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo

Will there be additional debates?

Indeed. A second debate is planned for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, on NY1.

Will an audience be present?

No, NBC has opted to exclude a studio audience or journalists from the crowd, mirroring the structure used during the primary debates.

What insights do the polls provide?

The latest poll indicates Mamdani in the lead at 46%, followed by Cuomo with 33%, and Sliwa at 15%. Approximately 14% of voters remain undecided, as reported by the Quinnipiac University poll released last week.