Take The City And Run

Candidates:
Betsy F. Gotbaum [Democrat] - INCUMBENT
Jay Golub [Conservative]
Jim Lesczynski [Libertarian]
Bernard Goetz [Rebuild]

2005 NYC Voter Guide:

As the City’s “ombudsman,” or go-between, the job of the Public Advocate includes monitoring the operation of the public information and service complaint programs of City agencies, and investigating and trying to resolve complaints about many City services. In the Mayor’s absence, the Public Advocate acts as the Mayor; in the case of a vacancy, the Public Advocate acts as mayor until a special election is held. The Public Advocate is also responsible for presiding over City Council meetings and can sponsor local legislation. The Public Advocate earns an annual salary of $150,000.

If you don’t want this position to exist, vote for Lescynski- once elected, he’ll eliminate it. Of course, if he eliminates the job, it will be harder for him to make any progress in abolishing campaign matching funds, but the time-space continuum can probably take the strain of this unlikely paradox.

If you would like to elect someone who has personally shot criminals on the subway, there’s always Bernie Goetz. Thing is, once you’ve done that, all your campaign issues pretty much go out the window. Sorry, bud.

So, if you want to vote for someone who actually wants the job and hasn’t shot anyone, it comes down to the incumbent, Gotbaum, and the challenger, Golub. They’re both Democrats, but Golub is running on the Conservative line. He believes we’re overtaxed by the State and Federal governments and is interested in improving mass transit through a public-private partnership.

You probably won’t find Gotbaum disagreeing that those are important issues, although she may disagree on the solutions. But what she really has going for her is experience. She was against Bloomberg’s proposed West Side stadium and advocates social programs that encourage, among other things, more affordable housing.