Hofstra hosts first gubernatorial debate

The David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University was the site for the first gubernatorial debate of the 2010 election.

Democrat Andrew Cuomo and Republican Carl Paladino joined five other candidates on the stage for the 90-minute debate. The other candidates were: Charles Barron (Freedom Party), Kristin Davis (Anti-Prohibition Party), Jimmy McMillan (Rent is Too Damn High Party), Howie Hawkins (Green Party) and Warren Redlich (Libertarian Party).

The candidates addressed a variety of issues, including the state's fiscal crisis, the environment, education, health care and job creation.

Cuomo emphasized the importance of reducing waste in government, including the hundreds of authorities and special districts across New York, one of his focal issues as attorney general.

“The question in this race is who can actually do it and who can actually get it done,” Cuomo said. “We heard it before – a lot of promises. I actually shrunk government.”

Paladino called for better management of the Medicaid system, as well as decentralization of the educational system in an effort to stop unfunded mandates.

“The centralization of these policies with faceless people and in an environment that is totally unaccountable to the people is bad,” Paladino said of the state's educational structure.

Some of the lesser known candidates stood out and drew reactions from the audience in their responses.

One of those was Jimmy McMillan, a candidate running for the Rent is Too Damn High Party. His view on gay marriage: “If you want to marry a shoe,” he said, “I'll marry it.”

Davis also drew laughter when she described two differences between the MTA and her former escort agency, “One is that we keep one set of books,” she said. “The other is that we provide service that is reliable and on time.”

Redlich criticized the state for its high-paying bureaucratic positions. He called for a cap of $100,000 for top-level positions and a $75,000 limit on pensions.