By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
The mayoral race went from contentious to belligerent last night, with candidates Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Comptroller William Thompson battling it out for stewardship over City Hall for the next four years.
Thompson drew first blood at the El Museo del Barrio, in Spanish Harlem, using his opening statement to attack the mayor for his campaign spending—$65 million as of the last filing—and berating him for his role in overturning term limits.
Bloomberg fought back on Thompson’s education record, saying that his work as president of the Board or Education was tantamount to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, and accusing Thompson of participating in the pay-to-play pension fund scandal.
The candidates appeared fairly evenly matched, for the first time.
The usually quiet comptroller rose to the occasion, elevating his voice and for the most part avoiding the long pauses and “geezes” that usually punctuate his speech.
Bloomberg consistently and forcefully drove home the improved crime and education statistics under his watch, and stayed away from the skyward-looking glances that made him appear irritated and aloof in his 2005 debates.
Green party candidate Rev. Billy Talen caused a brief commotion at the beginning of the debate when he stood up and repeatedly screamed, “What are you doing here?” at Bloomberg, saying that the people had voted for term limits and he had no right to run for a third term.
But NY1 host Dominic Carter quickly reined in the audience and kept the debate moving at quick clip. His lightening round questions offered a glimpse into the side less seen of the politicians—Thompson has had a manicure, Bloomberg has not.
Carter also got the candidates to fess up to their positions on some national issues.
Bloomberg does not think President Barack Obama has done enough for gay rights, Thompson says he has. Both pols think the U.S. should send more troops to Afghanistan, although the mayor expressed his disapproval of being asked such a serious question within the yes/no format.
The candidates were also asked to say one nice thing about the other. Thompson complimented Bloomberg on his sartorial skills, and Bloomberg praised the comptroller's golf game.
