Both Halloween and Election Day are upon us, and I’m not sure which is scarier.
Although Republican Joe Lhota has a firm grasp on the issues and has proven himself a strong manager throughout his career, his politician costume clearly doesn’t fit — he is an awkward, uninspiring mayoral candidate.
But even if Lhota were Abe Lincoln, he still wouldn’t have a ghost of a chance in this election. The national GOP has moved so far to the right that the majority of New Yorkers can’t stomach the idea of pulling the lever for a Republican — even an anti-tea party moderate like Lhota.
Meanwhile, the support for Bill de Blasio is overwhelming. His "tale of two cities" theme has clearly struck a nerve.
The truth is that even if he were spirited away by goblins this week, he’d still coast to a landslide victory. Yet the question remains, to paraphrase the old song: Will we still love him tomorrow?
The progressive Democrat has many admirable goals, including reducing income disparity, creating jobs and fighting for affordable housing. But can he deliver on these promises?
His agenda includes hiking New York City taxes on the rich to pay for pre-K and after-school programs. Everyone acquainted with political reality, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, knows the State Legislature will never approve this.
If they are right (and they are), where will de Blasio get this money? Or is this just another grand, empty campaign promise?
Stop-and-frisk has become a foul expression in some circles, and having their teenagers repeatedly stopped on their way home from school has understandably turned off a substantial segment of voters, especially but not limited to people of color. On the other hand, polls show that most people want the practice modified, not eliminated.
Will de Blasio’s strong stance against stop-and-frisk and his support of a federal monitor over the NYPD demoralize New York’s finest? Is Lhota’s warning that crime could shoot up under de Blasio blatant demagoguery, or a real possibility?
So, trick or treat? Will we get all the goodies de Blasio has promised?
Or will we be left holding the bag?
