Critics of America’s two-party system often contend there are no tangible differences between Republicans and Democrats. But what seem like small differences between the two parties’ platforms can become significant when the candidates square off in an election. The 1993 race for mayor of New York quickly became this type of election when Democrat incumbent David Dinkins faced the same Republican challenger he had narrowly defeated four years earlier, Rudolph Giuliani. Discussion Questions Does the New York City election demonstrate that parties matter?