Sure, he'll be standing behind a lectern during at least one 90-minute practice session against "Al Gore," played by Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire. But he'll be doing it in his own laid-back style -- in a T-shirt and jeans -- at the ranch near Crawford.

Senior aides, including communications director Karen Hughes and media adviser Stuart Stevens, will observe and offer tips during the sessions, to be held in what they call "the bunker" -- a building that's usually used as an exercise room. A stationary bike and bunk beds will be shoved off to the side.

"There aren't very many frills except coffee," Hughes said Friday. "We usually sit on the floor."

The informality contrasts with the real thing: the candidates' first debate Tuesday night in Boston. The candidates will appear behind lecterns of prescribed 48-inch height, responding to questions from moderator Jim Lehrer of PBS and abiding by strict rules.

The Bush campaign has been trying hard to lower expectations for the Texas governor's performance so he will be more likely to look good by comparison.

"We all know that the vice president is a world-class debater," Hughes said. "He is acknowledged to be the most experienced debater in American politics today and we expect that he'll have some of the best lines that Hollywood can write at his disposal."

She also tried to plant an expectation that Gore wouldn't debate fairly.

"I think that one of the problems of debating a lot is that people catch on to your tricks," she said. "Governor Bush is prepared for the vice president to misrepresent his record."

In contrast, Hughes said, Bush will go into the debate "speaking from the heart."

Each man debated his primary election rivals 10 times. Bush also debated opponents in campaigning for the Texas governorship, including incumbent Ann Richards, who Gore has repeatedly said is a much better debater than he.

As Bush practiced in Texas and Gore prepared in Florida this weekend, a controversy over the governor's previous practice sessions shadowed both campaigns. The FBI is investigating how a copy of a videotape of Bush's other practice sessions, along with some debate strategy documents, was sent to Gore headquarters in early September.

Former Rep. Tom Downey received the material and said he immediately turned it over to the FBI. Hughes said Friday, "We hope that others in the Gore campaign did not see the materials."