NEW YORK, NY July 09, 2009 —Candidates for city public advocate faced off this morning. One question was how they'd cope with the 40 percent budget cut recently leveled at the office.

REPORTER: Councilman Bill De Blasio said he's used to fighting uphill battles.

DE BLASIO: It is about having the strategic ability with a very powerful mayor to form coalitions across this city that can stay in the game, be persistent, and overcome the power of city hall and in fact speak truth to power and get things done.

REPORTER: The other candidates at the event at the CUNY Graduate Center were Councilman Eric Gioia, attorney Norman Siegel and former public advocate Mark Green.