MONTREAL - Facing a three-way race in the final two weeks of the Quebec election campaign, the three main party leaders huddled with their teams Monday to prepare for a potentially decisive debate.
Parti Quebecois Leader Andre Boisclair emerged from debate preparations to appear on an open-line radio show where he hoped for the chance to talk about policy ideas in Tuesday's televised clash.
Asked about the risk of "slipping on a banana peel,'' Boisclair admitted he's a bit worried but that he's probably not alone among the three leaders.
"All kinds of things can happen, but if I'm afraid (of a banana peel), I don't think I'm the only one,'' Boisclair told Radio-Canada.
"I hope it will be a chance to talk about our platform.''
Boisclair might have high-minded intentions, but most analysts expect a nasty affair, in keeping with the acrimonious tone of the election campaign.
Liberal Leader Jean Charest said he expects to be in the hot seat.
"There is no doubt I will be the target,'' Charest said following a brief photo opportunity near Quebec City.
"I hope that Quebecers will have a good idea of the choice we're offering them.''
Action democratique du Quebec Leader Mario Dumont made a brief appearance for cameras before hunkering down with his team for debate preparations.
His Sunday night appearance on the popular Quebec talk show Tout le monde en parle was the talk of the political chat shows on Monday.
Dumont was the target of a withering blast from political columnist Chantal Hebert in front more than a million viewers.
After Dumont was unable to recite the cost of his campaign promises in an earlier segment, Hebert lamented the emptiness of the campaign and declared Dumont "a one-man show'' not ready to be premier.
"That's not fair,'' a chastened Dumont said.
The debate rehearsals are taking on new importance after a weekend poll suggested a tight three-way race among the main parties.
The televised encounter in French will be the only debate among the leaders before the March 26 vote.
Meanwhile, radio host Louis Champagne apologized on air Monday for recent homophobic comments aimed at gay PQ candidates.
Champagne, a host on CKRS in Saguenay, called the party a "club of fags'' and questioned whether local factory workers are ready to vote for openly gay candidates like Boisclair.
At the same time, Champagne wrote an open letter in a local newspaper saying he regrets his choice of words but that he defends his right to express his opinion.
