"No knockout punch was thrown," says Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy, though he says he believes the three candidates performed well in Tuesday night's mayoral debate at the studios of WNED-TV.
Recent polls have shown that few voters are familiar with Republican Sergio Rodriguez, but McCarthy believes the challenger may have improved his chances with his debate performance.
"He emerged as someone who can hold his own," said McCarthy on WBFO's Morning Edition. "People will now give him a second look."
While Rodriguez will have his name of the November ballot, the same is not certain for Democratic challenger Bernie Tolbert. He faces incumbent Mayor Byron Brown in the Democratic Primary on September 10.
McCarthy felt Tolbert "articulated the points he wanted-education and crime." Though polls show he is a long-shot candidate, the performance could boost his chances.
Mayor Brown, McCarthy feels, showed "a good command of facts and figures" during the hour-long debate. Brown stayed on-message, often using the word "progress," the theme that dominates his well-financed media campaign.
