Candidates Preparing for Gubernatorial Debate

If Assemblyman Joe Morelle could say three words to his friend Andrew Cuomo before tomorrow's debate, they would be: stay the course.

"He has to do what he has been doing throughout the campaign: talking about the way in which he wants to change New York, improve its economy, and create jobs," said Morelle.

Morelle says Cuomo will enter the debate as the front runner, and leave Hofstra University's stage with Carl Paladino still in his dust.

"He's not going to make any mistakes, he is obviously someone who is very comfortable with the issues that face New York.  He's obviously very comfortable being in this format," said Morelle.

Cuomo and Paladino will share the stage with Libertarian Warren Redlich, Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins, Charles Barron of the Freedom Party, Jimmy McMillan of the Rent is Too Damn High Party, and Kristin Davis, madam of Eliot Spitzer fame and anti-prohibition crusader.  One Rochester political writer says even if Paladino stays on his low taxes and spending message, his insistence on a seven-way debate could come back to haunt him.

"Everytime he tries to tell that story, and then the story into Albany dysfunction, he's got six other people who have to get their points made, so he's going to have a lot of trouble pulling people along for the debate," said Aaron Wicks, who writes for The Smugtown Beacon.

Still, Wicks says this is Paladino's best shot to regain momentum.  If he can stay away from controversy, Wicks says a race could develop once again.

"He has to comfort voters, and let them know that he's not the crazy man that has been represented," said Wicks.