Part 2/13:
Entering the debate, many analysts believed that Mandani, despite some skepticism, was on track to secure the mayoralty, especially given polling data suggesting his lead. His campaign’s momentum appeared unstoppable unless he suffered a catastrophic collapse. Yet, his performance in the debate was underwhelming, lacking the polish or clarity needed to sway undecided voters. Overall, it was widely considered a disaster for all involved, with no candidate emerging as a clear winner.