Joseph J. Lhota, the Republican nominee for mayor, released his latest television ad on Thursday. Titled “Promises,” it is airing on broadcast channels across New York City.
Many who lived in New York City through the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s would probably agree that bad policies and unsteady leadership could result in rising crime rates and the deterioration of the city’s school system. With large deficits on the horizon and ballooning health care and pension costs, wise financial stewardship from City Hall in the coming years is also critical.
Mr. Lhota has indeed been tested under the worst circumstances: Besides running the M.T.A. during Hurricane Sandy, he was Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani’s deputy mayor for operations on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center. He had planned meticulously for such a disaster, and his preparation and calm demeanor were seen as having been crucial to the administration’s deft response.
As for his promises, doubling the number of charter schools would require legislation from Albany. Creating good-paying jobs is any mayor’s goal, but is easier promised than done. Much of the job growth in New York City in recent years has been in low-wage service jobs.
Mr. Lhota tries to meld warnings of what would befall New York if his Democratic opponent, Bill de Blasio, became mayor, with a positive message about what he himself would do in the job. His warnings may not resonate with voters who never experienced New York as a dangerous city on the brink of bankruptcy. And his effort to define himself may be too little, too late: Polls show that more voters have a negative view of Mr. Lhota than a positive one, and he is lagging behind Mr. de Blasio with just a few days remaining until the election Tuesday.
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