The problem is that conservatives never vote in NYC (believe me, I grew up there and lived there for much of my life) because there is nobody to vote for if you’re a conservative. Giuliani was elected because Dinkins had plunged the city into perhaps its greatest dysfunction ever, so maybe that’s what it takes. Total collapse.
Actually, almost nobody of any stripe votes anymore. IIRC, De Blasio was elected by a majority out of 22% of the total voters. People have got to get out and start voting again.
Of course, when they do (as on the UES), it can be dangerous to their health and living conditions if they don’t go with the leftist program.
Mass abandonment of the city could at least bring rents down (pleasing Jimmy Macmillan of the Rent is Too D*mn High Party).
No, giuliani was elected because the people of new york city saw that he was really Gargamel and they hoped he would rid them of their mortal enemies, the smurfs.