Pundits Talk Local Election Smackdown

Mayoral candidate Bruce Blakeman and Assemblyman Rory Lancman faceoff and give their take on today's election matchup.

On the presidential election, both Blakeman and Lancman agreed that it looks like Senator Barack Obama may win the seat to the Oval Office. Senator John McCain will have to pull a hat trick, that is win the key three states Goergia, Virginia and Ohio, in order to win. They said if Obama wins Georgia and Virginia, Americans can call it an early night. However, if McCain wins these states, Americans will have to stay up late tonight to see the results. The polls in the two states closes tonight at 7pm EST.

Locally, Michael McMahon (Dem.) and Robert Stranieri (Rep.) are fighting for disgraced Staten Island Congressman Vito Fossella's seat. Blakeman felts that McMahon would win the seat and Stranieri would need a good turnout to win. However, Staten Island is typically a Republican-leaning county.

On Long Island, inclumbent candidiate Ceasar Trunzo (Rep.) is looking to keep his third Senate district seat to popular rival Brian Foley (Dem.). Lancman felt that from Long Island to Queens, there is wave of desire for change in the Democratic party, and the Foley may win the seat.

In another heated local Senate race, 35th District incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Dem.) is trying to keep her seat away from Republican candidate John Murtaugh. However, Lancman stated that Stewart-Cousins should have nothing to worry about because her party affiliation reflects her the majority of her constituents' party affiliation. It would be difficult for that seat top become Republican again, stated Lanceman.

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