ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NY—While mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo battled over topics ranging from the housing crisis to the Israel-Hamas war in Thursday’s debate, Curtis Sliwa engaged in a battle of his own over the war-torn Western Front.
At the start of the debate, Cuomo and Mamdani wasted little time launching into a heated exchange over their respective qualifications. “Here’s the World War I flying ace posing beside his Sopwith Camel,” muttered Sliwa, leaning on his podium.
As the topic shifted to each candidate’s agenda, Cuomo and Mamdani sparred over their opposing policy proposals, but both reiterated their mission to make the city affordable for New Yorkers. Sliwa interjected, “My mission is to seek out the Red Baron, and to bring him down!”
The moderators continued to press the candidates on a range of issues over the course of two hours, giving voters a crucial lens into their contrasting views and leadership styles. But this stark divide was perhaps best represented by a lighthearted question: had they ever bought anything at a dispensary?
Mamdani said yes through a wide smile while Cuomo curtly answered no. “Once—when I was shot down over Pont-à-Mousson,” replied Sliwa. “Severely wounded, I crawled through abandoned trenches back across enemy lines to a dressing station, where a beautiful nurse administered medical marijuana. Curse you, Red Baron!”
