As New York Post State Editor Fred Dicker noted in an interview with front-running gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo, it's usually the leading candidate in a race who wants to have a debate with as many rivals at once, in order to turn the opposition into a noisy, inaudible cacophony.

But to hear Cuomo tell it, it's his Republican rival, Carl Paladino, who wants to invite the minor-party candidates into their debates.

In response to a reporter's question about debates, here's what Cuomo said this afternoon during a press conference on the City Hall steps:

"I understand the advantages of a one-on-one debate. I also understand the argument for inclusiveness that the Paladino camp is making that everybody should be invited."

In addition to Cuomo and Paladino, there are a number of gubernatorial candidates on the ballot, including: Charles Barron (Freedom Party) Howie Hawkins (Green Party), Steve Cohn (Tea Party) and others.