Tuesday brings the first debate of the 2006 governor's race between Eliot Spitzer and John Faso. It's a huge moment for Faso: Behind by 50 points in the polls and desperate for campaign cash, he gets his first real chance to introduce himself to a statewide audience. Can he dent Spitzer's aura of inevitability without appearing as a one-note attack dog? Spitzer could just run out the clock, but he's intent on adding to his momentum and winning by a historic margin in November.

The debate, at 7 p.m., will be broadcast by NY1, whose political director, Bob Hardt, is nearly as big a player in state politics as the candidates. He spoke to New York's Chris Smith.

Spitzer has a huge lead in the polls over Faso. What do you think the debate goal is for each candidate?

The debate that we had between Spitzer and Tom Suozzi in the Democratic primary race shows that it isn't in Spitzer's DNA to just sit there when he's attacked or respond only by citing his achievements as state attorney general. Spitzer will bring the fight to Faso and question many of his votes and positions he took while minority leader of the state assembly. Faso, in turn, will continue his attacks on Spitzer, how be believes Spitzer has been less sheriff and more bully when it comes to Wall Street.

For you as NY1's political producer, what makes a "successful" debate?

Anytime you can combine great style with actual substance, you have a winner on your hands. The Spitzer-Suozzi debate was great not only because it was fascinating to see these guys mix it up, but also because you left the debate knowing that they had actual differences when it comes to policy. A lot of people loved the McFarland-Spencer Senate debate because it was so muddy — but their ideological differences were starkly highlighted as well.

Any subject on which you're particularly interested in their answers?

Yes, but then I'd be revealing some of our questions to them.

NY1's "Lightning Round" has become famous and is surprisingly revealing. I'm disappointed to hear it won't be used in this debate. But what are some rejected "Lightning Round" questions from previous debates?

There was one where we were thinking of amping up the marijuana question and asking, "Have you ever tried cocaine?" But our political anchor, Dominic Carter, pointed out that no matter what else happened in the debate, that's all that people would be talking about the next day. He was 100 percent right, and we shelved it. As much fun as the lightning round is, we've decided forego it this fall. Some of our panelists were getting to ask just one question per debate, and we wanted to have a chance for each panelist to ask two questions. We'll bring back the lightning round, but it needs a little vacation.

What's the oddest request or demand a candidate has made pre-debate?

One candidate wanted a big bowl of green M&Ms in his dressing room that I had to taste in front of him before he'd eat any. Seriously, nothing too weird on that front.

Are briefing books allowed?

As Tom Suozzi knows all too well, no.

The candidates stage mock debates to prepare. Does NY1 do that with your moderator and/or the other panelists?

We really don't. We will meet and try to think of a lame way a candidate could answer each question and then either try to fine-tune the question or think of a really good follow-up. There is no way to keep candidates from deciding to duck a question, but we'll try to make it look bad for them if they're not addressing the question's substance.

What do you think was creating those mysterious bulges under Bush's suit coat in that debate with Kerry?

A lot of political pride.