The Ad Campaign: Lhota Issues Warnings and Makes Promises Joseph J. Lhota, the Republican nominee for mayor, released his latest television ad on Thursday. Titled "Promises," it is airing on broadcast channels across New York City. New York is the greatest city in the world, but we are one bad mayor away from unsafe streets, failing schools and fiscal chaos. I've been tested during difficult times, and I am ready to lead. This is my promise to you. I will double the number of charter schools, create good-paying jobs, and keeping our families safe will be my top priority. We have come too far to go back. I ask for your vote on Tuesday, so together we can move New York forward. ON SCREEN Mr. Lhota speaks standing on what looks like a balcony or pedestrian bridge in Midtown and addressing the camera directly. As he makes his dire warnings, the screen switches to black-and-white images of the police in riot gear, and a school hallway with a teenager sitting exiled outside a classroom. When he shifts to his own qualifications, the pictures are replaced with a color image of him at work in a khaki jacket, an image of transit workers next to an out-of-service subway car and a headline describing his success as chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in getting the subway system running again quickly after Hurricane Sandy. He points a finger at the viewer for emphasis, then ticks off his priorities on his fingers. ACCURACY Many who lived in New York City through the 1970s, "80s and "90s would probably agree that bad policies and unsteady leadership could result in rising crime rates and the deterioration of the city's school system. With large deficits on the horizon and ballooning health care and pension costs, wise financial stewardship from City Hall in the coming years is also critical. Mr. Lhota has indeed been tested under the worst circumstances: Besides running the M.T.A. during Hurricane Sandy, he was Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani's deputy mayor for operations on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center. He had planned meticulously for such a disaster, and his preparation and calm demeanor were seen as having been crucial to the administration's deft response. As for his promises, doubling the number of charter schools would require legislation from Albany. Creating good-paying jobs is any mayor's goal, but is easier promised than done. Much of the job growth in New York City in recent years has been in low-wage service jobs. SCORECARD Mr. Lhota tries to meld warnings of what would befall New York if his Democratic opponent, Bill de Blasio, became mayor, with a positive message about what he himself would do in the job. His warnings may not resonate with voters who never experienced New York as a dangerous city on the brink of bankruptcy. And his effort to define himself may be too little, too late: Polls show that more voters have a negative view of Mr. Lhota than a positive one, and he is lagging behind Mr. de Blasio with just a few days remaining until the election Tuesday.