It could all come down to a tension-filled 90 minutes in Ontario’s closest election campaign since 1985.

Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath each concede Tuesday’s televised debate is crucial to their chances in the Oct. 6 vote.

For rookies Hudak and Horwath — elected to head their parties in 2009 — it’s their best chance yet to introduce themselves to voters as an electable alternative to a two-term premier who has led the Liberals since 1996.

With polls showing the Liberals and Conservatives in a dead heat, and the New Democrats above historical levels of support, the pressure is on to shake up the race.

“I’ve never been in a televised leaders’ debate of that format,” said Hudak, referring to segments where the leaders will rotate two at a time in six rounds of head-to-head deliberations.

“But it is a great opportunity to talk about our plan to give families relief, to create good well-paying jobs in the skilled trades like these folks here desperately want to see in Ontario,” he added Monday at Conestoga College in Kitchener.

McGuinty, in his fourth such debate since 1999, said his message will be with “the prevailing uncertainty in the global economy . . . how important it is that we continue to have a steady hand on the tiller.”

Sources told the Star that he has been in mock debates for two weeks in a TV studio.

Former attorney general Michael Bryant, an expert debater and quick-thinking quipster, has taken the role of Hudak, hammering McGuinty on taxes, while Children and Youth Services Minister Laurel Broten stood in for Horwath, pounding her boss on social issues.

“He’s out there selling the record but he can’t be boastful because people are having hard times out there and he can’t look like he’s out of touch. And he knows this,” said one Liberal insider.

To add authenticity to the Grits’ preparations, former CFTO reporter and McGuinty aide Leon Korbee acted as debate moderator Steve Paikin of TVOntario.

For Hudak, who has been working in a studio and a boardroom for weeks, Strategy Corp. consultant and policy expert John Matheson is playing McGuinty. Karen Gordon, a communications veteran who runs her own company called Squeaky Wheel, plays the Horwath role. John Walsh, president of the federal Conservative party and a corporate lawyer, has portrayed Paikin in some dry runs.

Despite their thoroughness, the Conservatives are playing down expectations for their man.

“We’re the rookie here. Dalton’s a seasoned pro, this will be his fourth time. We’re hoping to get through this debate and survive,” said a senior Tory.

Horwath’s debate preparation has been hampered by a cold, but she took Monday off from campaigning to gear up.

“She is feeling better, she’s been prepping and resting,” said a party source.

NDP officials wouldn’t say who’s playing McGuinty or Hudak in rehearsals, but if Friday’s northern Ontario debate between Horwath and the Tory leader is any indication she needs the practice.

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At the Thunder Bay event — which McGuinty ducked — Hudak came across as more polished and prepared with succinct, carefully crafted answers. In contrast, Horwath stammered at times and went long in her opening statement.

Excluded from Tuesday debate at the CBC Broadcasting Centre in Toronto is Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, whose party does not hold any seats in the Legislature. The debate airs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on CBC, CTV, Global, Sun News Network, TVOntario, CHCH, CP24 and CPAC and is streaming live on the various websites related to those broadcasters.

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