Republican strategists hope to make presidential challenger Mr John Kerry sweat when he goes head to head with US President Mr George W. Bush on live TV later this week.
Unnamed Bush campaign official on Senator John Kerry
Bush officials have been engaged in tough negotiations with Democrats about logistics for the three campaign debates, the first of which will take place early on Friday morning.
The Republicans blocked a request by the Democrats to have the studio chilled to below 21 Celsius in the belief that Senator Kerry sweats more than the President.
"He's a sweater, and women don't like sweaters," said one Bush official following the negotiations, according to TimeMagazine.
The three 90-minute debates, which kick off in Miami, are make-or-break time for Mr Kerry.
Lagging in the polls, it could be his last opportunity to spear his opponent, who is well known for making gaffes in front of the microphone.
Up to 40 million people are expected to watch Mr Bush and Mr Kerry go head to head. Critically, one-third of the people who plan to watch the debates said in a poll that they would be a "deciding factor" in how they vote.