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Gov. hopefuls square off at Hofstra debate – Metro US

Gov. hopefuls square off at Hofstra debate

Although GOP candidate Carl Paladino spent weeks hyping up a direct confrontation with Democrat Andrew Cuomo, much of the sizzle at last night’s Hofstra University debate stemmed from the five minor party candidates. They relished their opportunity to spread their platform, and take potshots at the major party front-runners.

Charles Barron, the all-black Freedom Party candidate, attacked proposed cuts by Cuomo and Paladino. “We’re already cut to the bone,” he said. “It’s easy to be a political bully and take it out on poor, defenseless working families.”

Libertarian Warren Redlich took Cuomo to task for “real estate interests in New York City,” and argued that Paladino was “his own special interest.”

Kristin Davis, from the Anti-Prohibition party, repeatedly played off her past as a high-end madam, noting that her illegal business produced more “on-time and reliable service” than the MTA.

Prior to the debate, the candidates supporters lined the streets looking for support. Hundreds of unionists and gay rights activists for Cuomo celebrated each honking horn. Paladino backers waved signs stressing the choice between freedom and socialism.