7 Would-Be Governors Join Farcical NY Debate

Andrew Cuomo and Carl Paladino didn't even mention each other and there were more jokes than personal attacks in the first, and possibly last, debate in the New York governor's race. No fewer than seven hopefuls joined the debate, including former brothel madam Kirstin Davis of the Anti-Prohibition Party, former Black Panther Charles Barron of the Freedom Party, and Jimmy McMillan of the Rent is Too Damn High Party, the New York Times reports.

Asked if she could gain the trust of voters, Davis—who described herself as an "accomplished businesswoman"—responded: "The career politicians in Albany are the biggest whores in this state. I might be the only person on this stage with the right experience to deal with them." Cuomo and Paladino did little more than recap policy positions and rattle off facts. The GOP candidate walked off stage in search of the men's room during closing comments. "When you gotta go, you gotta go," Paladino's campaign manager said later.
(More Andrew Cuomo stories.)