NEW YORK-New Yorkers will go to the polls today to end what has become a passionate and sometimes negative U.S. Senate race.
Democratic candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republican Rick A. Lazio have been throwing anything they can find at each other in the last hours before the election, and New Yorkers seem to have mixed feelings about both candidates' campaign tactics.
"Both sides have been really negative," said messenger Chris Honsaker, who, like most city residents, is planning to vote for Clinton. "It's offputting."
The closely watched Senate campaign has erupted with personal attacks from both candidates.
Lazio continues to attack Clinton because of her "carpetbagger" move to New York, and the Clinton campaign is criticizing Lazio for his mudslinging tactics.
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One of Lazio's more recent attacks pointed out that Clinton received over $50,000 from an Arab American group that may endorse terrorism. Clinton shot back with an ad denouncing Lazio's smear campaign and asked voters, "If this is how he acts while trying to get into office, what will he act like in office?"
"I'm not all that happy with either of them," attorney David Murgio said as he relaxed on a bench in Central Park. "Lately it's been very nasty."
Murgio had not decided yesterday who to vote for, but he said Lazio turned him off when he made the accusations about Hillary supporting terrorism.
Despite the negativity, the heated campaign has rallied New Yorkers to vote today.
"Everyone's really passionate about the election," said Dara O'Hara, a Lazio volunteer coordinator and 1997 University graduate. The city of New York is a Democratic stronghold and Lazio is counting more on upstate support, O'Hara said.
But not everyone in the city is for Clinton.
A man standing outside the Clinton campaign headquarters, who would identify himself only as "Superman," held a sign saying "I support Hillary" that pictured a man with his head up his rear end.
Superman, who was dressed for the part, declined to comment on who he was voting for. But many city residents said they definitely were voting for Clinton.
As she stood alongside 50 screaming Carson Daly fans outside the MTV studios in Times Square, Diana Marrow said she thinks Clinton is a "strong, intelligent woman who's not easily intimidated.
"I just wish [the candidates] would stick to the issues and stop bashing each other," Marrow said.
Bloomingdale's employee Rebecca Lysczko agreed. "I've heard more back and forth arguing than about the issues," Lysczko said.
According to the latest polls, Clinton is ahead of Lazio by 7 points in New York City and is tied with him upstate.
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