At least 80 million people are expected to watch tonight's televised debate between Vice-President Al Gore and Governor George W. Bush which could help decide the most closely fought election in decades.
Tracking polls are showing the two candidates in a dead heat nationally with five weeks to the election. Observers say this is the closest presidential race since the John F. Kennedy/Richard Nixon contest in 1960.
Mr Gore and Mr Bush took a pause from active campaigning over the weekend to make final preparations for the 90-minute debate at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. Two more debates will be held this month.
Mr Gore flew 13 "working people" to Sarasota, Florida to help him in his rehearsals for tonight's debate. He used them to get feedback about his answers in the mock debates he had with a stand-in for Mr Bush.
Mr Gore took time off to stroll on the beach and greet wellwishers. A woman told him: "We expect you to kick some butt." He replied: "I appreciate your best wishes."
Mr Bush wound up his preparations at his ranch near Waco in Texas. "I like to come here to this place to get my batteries recharged. It helps clear my mind," he told reporters.
The Bush campaign was jubilant at new polls which showed that the Texas governor was leading Mr Gore in his home state of Tennessee for the first time and tied in West Virginia, which is a traditionally Democratic state. But both polls are within the margin of error.
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The Irish Times website will broadcast a live video-stream of the debate from 1 a.m. tomorrow on its US election site. Edited highlights will be also be available later tomorrow morning