It Is No Longer Not Debatable

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2004 — -- NOTED NOW

TODAY'S SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FUTURES CALENDAR

Morning Show Wrap

Evening Newscasts Wrap

33 days until Election Day
It's debate day!
5 days until the vice presidential debate
8 days until the second presidential debate
13 days until the third presidential debate

NEWS SUMMARY

Not EVERY member of the Gang of 500 was gathered near the pool of South Beach's Delano Hotel last night.

But there was what Al Hunt would call a "quorum" — and Bill Safire would call "a minyan" — of the Gang.

Others would say it looked more like "Ken Mehlman's office."

In any case, look no further than The Note for a distillation of everything you need to know about tonight's Clash in Coral Gables:

Kerry has to "win" the debate to win blah blah blah.

Kerry has a tough challenge — to go on the attack but still be someone Americans want in their living rooms for four years blah blah blah.

Both these men are champion debaters blah blah blah.

What the news coverage says immediately after the debate is just as important — maybe more important — than what happens in the debate itself blah blah blah.

Kerry will acknowledge that he's changed his mind occasionally and can be unclear at times, but will needle Bush by saying it's better to be flexible when things go wrong than to be stubborn blah blah blah.

This is the first time both candidates will appear together before the American people free from the influences of handlers and aides blah blah blah.

The President — after acting confident for days — will "surprise" everyone (and de-fang Sen. Kerry) by being suddenly contrite and yielding — less "times are tough," or, even "mistakes were made," than "I have made mistakes" blah blah blah.

In a nation of several hundred million people, why does Jim Lehrer get to keep moderating these things blah blah blah.

It will be interesting to see if the candidates choose blue or red ties blah blah blah.

How they look and act will matter as much as what they say, blah, blah, blah.

John Kerry sure better have a good and tight answer to that Iraq question, blah, blah, blah.

Boy, Republicans are more organized and on message than Democrats are blah blah blah.

Al Gore lost the first 2000 debate by losing the post-debate spin wars blah blah blah.

How about those wacky, restrictive, detailed campaign-negotiated rules that make this less a debate and more a joint appearance blah blah blah.

The first debate historically has the largest audience blah blah blah.

John Kerry must sound more bar room than Brahmin blah blah blah.

Ralph Reed really HAS been to the fountain of youth (or perhaps DID make that deal with the devil) blah blah blah.

And most important, as Democratic pollster Paul Maslin — with characteristic understatement — told the Los Angeles Times about John Kerry:

"If he can make this election about Bush, Bush in all likelihood will lose. If this election is about Kerry, then we've got a rougher row to hoe."

And there isn't any blah blah blah about that.

Tonight, ABC News' Peter Jennings anchors two hours of live coverage of the first presidential debate, from 9:00-11:00 pm ET, joined by George Stephanopoulos, Fareed Zakaria, and Martha Raddatz.

Terry Moran, Dean Reynolds, and Mark Halperin will report live from the debate in Coral Gables, FL, and Jake Tapper will report from Washington, DC.

"Nightline" follows up with its in-depth coverage and analysis during its regularly scheduled broadcast.

ABC News Now, our broadband and digital cable channel, will carry the debate live as well, kicked off by a special edition of "Trail Mix" at 7:30 pm ET.

Sam Donaldson anchors ABC News Radio's live coverage, joined by correspondents Ann Compton, Bob Schmidt, and Andrew Colton.

And don't miss continual updates and fact checking in real time on Noted Now on ABCNEWS.com. LINK

President Bush tours the hurricane relief effort in Stuart, FL (9:40 am ET), participates in the first presidential debate (9:00-10:30 pm ET) at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL then visits a debate watching party in Miami (10:50 pm ET).

Sen. Kerry participates in the first presidential debate as well, then attends a post-debate rally with singer John Mellencamp at the Miami Arena in Miami, FL (11:00 pm ET).

First Lady Laura Bush speaks at a "David Vitter for Senate" luncheon at the Petroleum Club of Shreveport in Shreveport, LA (12:00 pm ET) then heads to Coral Gables, FL to watch the debate.

Vice President Cheney attends a debate watching party at the Denver Marriott City Center, Denver, CO (8:25 pm ET). Following this event, the Vice President heads to Wyoming for his own debate prep.

Sen. Edwards departs Washington, DC at 6:15 pm ET and watches the presidential debate on television at the Westin Hotel in Columbus, OH at 9:00 pm ET. He then holds an 11:20 pm ET rally at Genoa Park in Columbus, OH.

Presidential candidate Ralph Nader holds a press conference at the University of Miami in Miami, FL (11:00 am ET) and delivers a campaign speech at the University of Miami (12:00 pm ET). And Nader would like to be at the debate tonight, if he can.

The Senate reconvenes on Thursday at 9:30 at ET and resume consideration of S 2845, the National Intelligence Reform bill.

The House of Representatives meets to consider H.J.Res. 106, the Marriage Protection Amendment (under a closed rule) in Washington, DC (10:00 am ET).

The Clash in Coral Gables: previews: