The debaters: What they said, how they said it

Carl Paladino -- Republican Party

Paladino calmly outlined proposals to cut taxes and spending and to overhaul government ethics after a rocky start, in which he confused Medicaid with Medicare. He didn't respond to attacks from Barron and Redlich, while addressing head-on charges that he is "crazy."

Jimmy McMillan

Rent Is 2 Damn High Party

McMillan relentlessly incorporated his "Rent Is 2 Damn High" slogan into every answer, leading even Cuomo to embrace it. His answers sometimes were confusing, such as when he talked about bulldozing mountains, apparently a reference to energy independence.

Andrew Cuomo

Democratic Party

Cuomo responded to questions with detailed proposals that he sought to connect to residents' lives. He didn't respond to baiting from Barron and Redlich. He was serious and even passionate in his answers, particularly about restoring integrity to state government.

Charles Barron

Freedom Party

Barron effectively addressed issues of concern to minority groups, such as police brutality, New York City's failing schools and government contracts for minority-owned small businesses. But his repeated attacks on Cuomo fell flat when they elicited no response.

Howie Hawkins

Green Party

Hawkins had his facts and figures down, but couldn't stay within the time limit, making some of his answers incomplete. He was passionate about increasing taxes on the rich, universal health care and environmental protection.

Kristin Davis

Anti-Prohibition Party

Davis had some witty lines comparing her former prostitution business to state government. She tried to demonstrate a command of issues, but some of her answers were simplistic, such as saying marijuana should be legalized to spur economic development.

Warren Redlich

Libertarian Party

Redlich effectively wove his biography into a call for smaller government and less spending. He tried to appeal to voters by using everyday examples to illustrate wasteful spending. He got several facts wrong, including the history of the state Public Integrity Commission.