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Mazel tov to the indefatigable Jason Binn, whose usually content-free Gotham magazine has apparently scored the local-news scoop of the year: an exclusive interview with Rudy Giuliani.

Observer political reporter Ben Smith — who says Giuliani virtually never gives interviews these days — is clearly green with envy when insists that Gotham's questions let America's Mayor off too easily. Judge for yourself, from a list Smith helpfully provides:

Gotham: What civic activities will you participate in this year?
Gotham: What are your hobbies?
Gotham: Do you have a favorite kind of food?
Gotham: Which do you prefer, Uptown or Downtown?
Gotham: Where do you most enjoy wandering in the city?
Gotham: What do you consider the best time of year in New York?
Gotham: Does travel play a big part in your lives?
Gotham: What Broadway shows would you like to see in 2006?
Gotham: What kind of music do you enjoy?
Gotham: What will you remember about 2005?
Gotham: What are you looking forward to in the New Year?
Gotham: What do you do for exercise?
Gotham: Would you live anywhere else besides New York?

The story isn't online, but I can reveal that the answer to most of the questions is "golf."

Oh, come on, Smith, what else is there to ask? Something silly like, Are you running for president? Or, As a former prosecutor, how can you tolerate Bush's disrepect for the rule of law? Jealous that Bloomberg got a bigger reelection margin than you did? Please. Don't be such a cliche, Ben.

Hard Questions for Rudy Giuliani [The Politicker/NYO]