Thread by @TweetBenMax

Read as the debate starts >>

https://twitter.com/tweetbenmax/status/1093220776663285765

here we go

speaking 4th in opening statements, @eric_ulrich is the first to mention Bill de Blasio by name; criticizing him & saying he's the the public advocate candidate de Blasio really doesn't want in the office

asked about legislation they'd intro as PA: @DawnforNewYork says to prioritize homeless families with young children to get housing; @ydanis says voting rights for undocumented immigrants; @NomikiKonst says a $30/hr minimum wage; @eric_ulrich says to strengthen PA office itself

.@JumaaneWilliams says he's proud he didn't vote for Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) and that leadership wasn't strong enough at the time, which @MMViverito takes issue with, saying she's proud to have led the passage of MIH, tho she says OK to question some nabe rezonings.

.@JumaaneWilliams says MIH has proven to be a "failed policy." @MMViverito doesn't get a chance to respond right away.

Asked about areas where they disagree w BdB, @MMViverito says getting community outreach and input has been a major flaw. @NomikiKonst says Amazon deal. @DannyforNYC says overdevelopment & lack of response to community input.

.@JumaaneWilliams says housing & rezonings that "fail to provide affordability" & transparency/accountability in NYPD, tho gives mayor credit for other reforms. @MrMikeBlake says issues of "equity" and says city should be "building schools not jails." @RLEspinal says Amazon deal.

.@eric_ulrich says closure of Rikers Island jails, which he calls "downright dangerous" & "a public safety issue" re community jails; says leave the "criminals" on Rikers - and lots of Dems on stage jump in to say hold on. @MMViverito defends closure plan.

.@rontkim says biggest policy disagreement w BdB is tax giveaways/incentives to companies; Amazon deal particularly. @ydanis says BdB's position on Small Business Jobs Survival Act, and criticizes MMV for not having given it a hearing.

.@DawnforNewYork says BdB hasn't taken enough responsibility for the MTA, cites his 4 Board appointees & he's been too hands off.

Yes/No on congestion pricing: only @eric_ulrich doesn't raise hand to say yes. All 9 others say yes to CP.

Yes/No on mayoral control of subways/buses: only @RLEspinal & @NomikiKonst & @DawnforNewYork say yes. (@JumaaneWilliams raises his hand halfway)

.@JumaaneWilliams explains that he favors "municipal control" of NYC Transit but doesn't want it to just be Mayoral.

boy, lot of candidates say that the City should kick in more $ for the MTA, though some are hedging a bit.

@JumaaneWilliams & @MMViverito said no, & MMV calls out state colleagues on the stage for not holding MTA hearings/oversight of Cuomo leadership of MTA.

.@DannyforNYC touts his millionaires tax bill that would help fund the MTA, but says City should still pay more for MTA.

Some sniping between @MrMikeBlake & @MMViverito over City & State responsibilities for & oversight of MTA, NYCHA, accusing each other of not doing enough. MMV says as Speaker she led major investment into NYCHA.

CROSS-EXAMINATION ROUND -- BUCKLE UP FOLKS

Not quite sure what the strategy is here, but @DannyforNYC asks @DawnforNewYork what she thinks of the Amazon deal, she says she's very concerned with the secretive nature of process.

.@MrMikeBlake, sitting next to @JumaaneWilliams, asks Williams why he was opposed to a woman's right to choose & marriage equality. Williams says he has always supported a woman's right to access to safe abortions (other candidates dispute the notion & ask for fact-check).

.@RLEspinal asks @MMViverito why she had a constituent come up to her early in this race to say she didn't deliver for her district. MMV defends the investments she brought back to her district & says she has a lot of support there.

.@eric_ulrich asks @NomikiKonst about being a democratic socialist & how small biz will deal with her call for a $30/hr minimum wage. Konst repeats $30 should only apply to biz of 75+ employees & muni employees, & says affordability crisis is dire.

.@rontkim asks a friendly Q of @DannyforNYC, noting neither signed 2017 Amazon letter.

.@DawnforNewYork asks GOPer @eric_ulrich whether he supports Donald Trump. Ulrich says he didn't support Trump in 2016 & disagrees with him on a lot. Says PA job is about holding mayor not president accountable. Lists variety of areas where he agrees & disagrees w Trump.

.@MMViverito asks @JumaaneWilliams how she could believe him about being consistent on issues like repro rights, marriage equality, sexual misconduct. Williams says he's working to be a good ally & has been consistent in his voting record. "I've always stood with women," he says.

.@NomikiKonst, sitting next to @MMViverito, goes after MMV on East Harlem rezoning & being too friendly to RE developers, MMV says rezoning was community driven & she's proud of it.

all(?) of this is happening gothamgazette.com/city/8258-8-th…

The lone Republican on the stage & sitting in the middle of the 10-person line, @eric_ulrich is providing his typical comic relief.

some interesting differences of opinion on whether the city should have all non-partisan elections

is a Lightning Round a Lightning Round if there are 10 candidates - to discuss another time

.@ydanis has repeatedly taken shots at @MMViverito in this debate.

so has @RLEspinal; and @MMViverito is responding; she says none of her opponents talked about NYCHA before this campaign, which Espinal disputes; MMV says she brought attention/$/oversight to NYCHA.

.@rontkim & @DannyforNYC & @DawnforNewYork have been largely passive during this debate, getting in fewer mid-round additional chances to talk & getting into few disputes with others.

.@MrMikeBlake, @DannyforNYC & @NomikiKonst are the only 3 candidates who raise hands to say they support Mayor de Blasio's plan to replace the SHSAT for specialized high school admissions.

.@MMViverito says she wants to see reform & maybe multiple measures that include the SHSAT, but says she thinks BdB's plan was hatched without enough community input. Says she wants to explore ideas.

.@rontkim says many of the Asian students getting into specialized HS are poor immigrants not a privileged class, and calls out @DOEChancellor comments, apparently referring to Carranza comment about no one group owning admissions to specialized high schools.

seems to be a good bit of support on stage for creating more specialized high schools, incl from @RLEspinal & @eric_ulrich

on Amazon deal, @MrMikeBlake says should be "dramatic changes" for it to go forward; wants local hiring, union protections, etc. @eric_ulrich explains he supports the Amazon deal, says it will be net positive.

"I did not sign that letter because I did my homework," @RLEspinal says about Amazon letter; says no one who signed the letter saying Amazon should consider NY should be public advocate (that would include MMV, Williams, Blake). Says evidence all out there to oppose from get-go.

Amazon deal was "anti-democratic" @MMViverito says. (De Blasio has repeatedly said it was democratic b/c he and Cuomo were popularly elected so they can make deals and decisions.)

quick post-debate assessment: i think Ulrich, Espinal & MMV all performed pretty well; Konst threw some punches that may have grabbed attention; Williams was solid but attacks on him could hurt; Blake was choppy but had some strong moments. O'Donnell solid but too passive.