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Every Rose Garden strategy has its thorns.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has maintained a commanding lead in New York City’s mayoral race while limiting his public appearances and questions from reporters. The tactic is a local version of a “Rose Garden strategy,” a term used to refer to a presidential candidate who avoids crisscrossing the country and instead stays at the White House, projecting an aura of power, prestige and inevitability.

But on Wednesday night, Cuomo will have to respond to criticism f

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