The Note: Either Side Can Win

<a href="mailto:politicalunit@abcnews.com">MARK HALPERIN, LISA TODOROVICH, MARY HOOD, DAVID CHALIAN, ANNE CHIAPPETTA, MARC AMBINDER, KAREN TRAVERS, BROOKE BROWER, MERCEDES M. TIO, NICHOLAS SCHIFRIN, ALEXANDRA AVNET & TEDDY DAVIS</a>

January 6, 2006, 5:47 PM ET

45 min read

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2004 — -- NOTED NOW

TODAY'S SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FUTURES CALENDAR

Morning Show Wrap

Evening Newscasts Wrap

9 days until Election Day

NEWS SUMMARY

The longest and most intense presidential campaign in American history is almost over, and you should laugh in the face of anyone who claims to know who is going to win.

And (thus) you should stop asking us who is going to win.

We promise we don't know.

This morning, there are a few key newspaper endorsements (most aren't worth a warm bucket of Fanta Grape); a few new state and national polls; wispy word of a closing ad; and some hideous (for the Bush campaign) blind quotes in the Washington Post .

We will get to all that — but first, what matters most.

Let's go to College.

The Note doesn't make too many assumptions about which states will go where, but some options do exist, and they are starting to become clearer.

Will John Kerry win Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Hampshire? Not for sure, but he probably needs them all to win. So, for the sake of argument, give him those, and add them to his other safe states.

That leave the president at 222 (we are giving him Colorado for this exercise . . . ), John Kerry at 232, and 7 states in play.

Those states are Florida, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and Nevada.

From the point of view of the challenger (which is always easier to conceptualize, regardless of party), if Kerry wins Ohio — and not Florida — he still needs 18 electoral votes to win, drawn from the 37 total electoral votes of Minnesota (10), Iowa (7), Wisconsin (10), New Mexico (5), and Nevada (5).

If Kerry wins Florida — but not Ohio — he is at 259, and still 11 short, but with a relatively easy path to victory.

If Kerry wins Ohio and Florida, he wins with 279 electoral votes.

Does the Electoral College still tilt toward the president, as it has all year? You be the judge; we are still thinking about it.

ABC News' Charlie Gibson interviews President Bush at the Bush ranch in Crawford, TX this morning for a "Good Morning America" exclusive airing Monday.

The president then travels to Alamogordo, NM a rally at Alamogordo High School at 5:50 pm ET.

After campaigning out West for several days, Senator Kerry spends Sunday in Florida. The Senator attends church services at Mount Herman AME Church in Fort Lauderdale at 11:00 am ET, delivers a speech on values and beliefs at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Ft. Lauderdale at 2:15 pm ET, and speaks at a rally at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton at 5:15 pm ET.

Vice President Cheney is in Washington, DC with no public events.

Senator Edwards speaks at church services at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church in Cincinnati at 11:00 am ET and attends rallies at in Dayton and Lima at 2:20 pm ET and 5:45 pm ET.

Elizabeth Edwards attends church services at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in Pittsburgh at 11:30 am ET and hosts a town hall discussion at Downey Middle School in Harrisburg, PA at 3:30 pm ET.

Former Vice President Al Gore speaks at a church service in Jacksonville on behalf of the Kerry/Edwards ticket and attends an early vote rally at the Leon County Courthouse Lawn in Tallahassee, FL at 2:00 pm ET.

Senator Ted Kennedy speaks at Zion Church and Mt. Airy Church in Philadelphia on behalf of Kerry/Edwards.

Ralph Nader holds press conferences and attends rallies in Corning, Rochester, and Buffalo, NY at 10:00 am ET, 1:00 pm ET, and 5:00 pm ET, respectively.

And don't forget the twin interviews on tomorrow's GMA — George W. Bush (with Charlie Gibson, as mentioned above) and William J. Clinton, interviewed by Diane Sawyer.

ABC News Vote 2004: Bush vs. Kerry: analysis:

In his wrap of yesterday's Bush and Kerry events with the fabulous Lois Romano, the Washington Post 's Mike Allen throws out some insight on what's happening inside BC04 (along with some nice Karl Rove color) that, while we urge you to go and read the story in its entirety, we can't bring ourselves to deprive you of here. LINK

As Ken Mehlman pointed out on "This Week," these are blind quotes — so you can make of them what you will.

"GOP officials who talked to Bush-Cheney campaign leaders said the leaders had grown more worried about Ohio, Florida and other key states where Bush lacks a lead with just 10 days until the election. A poll by Ohio University's Scripps Survey Research Center, completed Thursday night, found Kerry leading 49 to 43 percent among registered voters, with a margin of error of five percentage points."

" … One Republican official described the mood at the top of the campaign as apprehensive. 'Grim' is too strong,' the official said. 'If we feel this way a week from now, that will be grim.'"

" … The Republican official said polling for Bush showed him in a weaker position than some published polls, both nationally and in battlegrounds. In many of the key states, the official said, Bush is below 50 percent, and he is ahead or behind within the margin of sampling error — a statistical tie."

"'There's just no place where they're polling outside the margin of error so they can say, "We have this state," the official said. 'And they know that an incumbent needs to be outside the margin of error.'"

" … Karl Rove, the White House senior adviser, said Bush will win a solid enough victory that the result will be clear sometime after midnight, although he made no prediction about the margin of victory or the number of states Bush would carry."

"'It's going to be a close election, but we have a persistent lead' in national polls, said Rove, who was wearing a 'Pennsylvania Victory' cap as he traveled with Bush on Saturday."

The New York Times ' Adam Nagourney and Kit Seeyle on the ever-shrinking field.

"Of the 11 states on this final battleground, representing 135 of the 538 electoral votes, Mr. Bush won Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire and Ohio in 2000. Of those, analysts and aides to both campaigns say Mr. Kerry has the best chance of winning New Hampshire, Ohio and Florida, while Nevada appears least likely to turn Democratic." LINK

"The Gore states in play are Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Of those, analysts and aides said Mr. Bush had the best chance of winning Wisconsin, Iowa and New Mexico. A sudden surge by Mr. Bush in Michigan, a state that Mr. Kerry thought he had put away, caught both sides by surprise, and both men scheduled last-minute trips there for next week."

And they have this about the final Bush ad, unconfirmed by ABC News at this writing: "The president plans to conclude his campaign with an advertisement in which Mr. Bush, recounting the trauma of the nation these past three years, makes a personal appeal to be returned to office."

The Washington Post 's Dan Balz writes in a must-read that all of the efforts toward registering new voters, the focus on turnout, and the high interest in the election by the American public don't answer the question of whether or not there's "an invisible army of voters out there," and whether or not their participation will actually influence the outcome of the race. Balz looks at the demographics and the strategies behind both sides, including Karl Rove's plan to change the shape of the electorate, and does his divining-rod best to put in perspective what it means. LINK

In his pool report last night, the Boston Globe 's Glen Johnson offers up a glimpse inside John Kerry's (Red Sox obsessed?) mindset, setting the scene on the plane, including Kerry's comment that "'A win is a win. A 'W' is what goes up' in the box scores." Kerry clarified: "'A "W" in the "Win" column, "Win" column.'''

Dean David Broder analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates and the campaign, Noting, "In an ideal world, a president would combine the best qualities of both men, giving us a chief executive with firm principles, a winning personality, an agile mind, a mastery of policy, superior political skills and a gift of eloquence. That candidate is not in the field this year." LINK

The New York Times ' Roger Cohen on the metanarratives of Bush and Kerry. LINK

Maureen Dowd conjures up a duck-hunting Ronald Reagan to criticize a duck-hunting John Kerry. LINK

The New York Times ' Toner has a second byline for a very good ">LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: polls:

The latest ABC News tracking poll shows 49 percent of likely voters favoring George W. Bush and 48 percent for John Kerry. ABC News Polling Director Gary Langer Notes, "The race tightened slightly, from 51-46 percent most of last week and 50-46 percent Friday, because Saturday was Kerry's best single day since this tracking poll began Oct. 1. Still, these are small shifts, all within polling tolerances; the race has been close and still is."

The Newsweek poll has it tied at 46 percent among registered voters and Bush leading Kerry 48 percent to 46 percent among likely voters. Newsweek/>LINK

The Time poll has President Bush leading among registered voters 50 percent to 43 percent, and among likely voters 51 percent to 46 percent. LINK

A new poll by Ohio University's Scripps Survey Research Center shows Kerry leading Bush in the Buckeye State, 50 percent to 46 percent among registered voters — inside the survey's 5.3 percent margin of error. So before anyone gets too excited, it's still an open race in Ohio, and the key issues are the economy and Iraq. LINK

A St. Petersburg Times/ Miami Herald poll shows a 46 percent to 46 percent tie among likely voters in Florida. LINK

Bush's job approval rating in the poll is 50 percent — 12 points lower than his brother's.

The Miami Herald 's write-up of the poll Notes that Bush is getting about 19 percent of the black vote in Florida. LINK

The Washington Post 's Rich Morin explains how definitions of likely voters can make or break — or confuse — polls. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Bush vs. Kerry: endorsements:

There's a long-running argument over the efficacy of newspaper endorsements when it comes to presidential campaigns, and whether or not voters pay attention to what their hometown broadsheet has to say. But as we all know, the Chattering Class keeps score. Particularly when they switch their allegiance from one side to the other.

The Orlando Sentinel has not endorsed a Democrat for President in 40 years. Until now. LINK

We bet that one makes it into Kerry-Edwards paid media.

The Denver Post, which endorsed Gore in 2000, endorses Bush this year. The Denver Post writes that although it does not believe Coloradoans are better off today than they were 4 years ago, the newspaper believes Bush is a more "decisive" leader than Kerry would be. LINK

The Seattle Times came out for Kerry today, after supporting Bush in 2000: LINK

The Tampa Tribune, which has endorsed a Republican for President in every election since 1952 with the exception of 1964 when it endorsed no one, went the non-endorsement route again last Sunday, its ed board writing that it could not repeat 2000 by endorse Bush this year, but neither could it endorse Senator Kerry. LINK

On Sunday, Oct. 10, the Portland Oregonian switched from its 2000 position and endorsed Kerry: LINK

We normally only Note man-bites-dog endorsements, but since John Kerry made an all out effort for this one, we thought we'd tell you the Columbus Dispatch did not break its 88 year running tradition of endorsing Republicans for president. LINK

The Des Moines Register 's write up for Kerry (they endorsed Gore in 2000). LINK

The Washington Post endorses Senator Kerry for President, but they're not excited about it. "We do not view a vote for Mr. Kerry as a vote without risks. But the risks on the other side are well known, and the strengths Mr. Kerry brings are considerable. He pledges both to fight in Iraq and to reach out to allies; to hunt down terrorists, and to engage without arrogance the Islamic world. These are the right goals, and we think Mr. Kerry is the better bet to achieve them." LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Bush vs. Kerry: Iraq and national security:

The New York Times ' Adam Nagourney Notes when it comes to national security, "a Kerry loss would crystallize an excruciating question for the Democratic Party: Can it ever compete with the Republican Party on a threshold issue that seems likely to be central to American presidential elections for a long time to come?" LINK

There's some '08 stuff in there too.

Jim Hoagland Notes "the Bush and Kerry campaigns enter the final full week of this dizzying, deadlocked race without having put on the table credible blueprints of what an electoral victory for either will mean for Iraq." LINK

In the Washington Post Outlook section, Bob Woodward offers up the list of questions he would have asked John Kerry on how Kerry would've handled the war in Iraq differently — if Kerry had followed through on the interview. LINK

Good tick tock, Bob.

ABC News Vote 2004: Bush vs. Kerry: domestic policy:

The New York Times ' on the domestic policy distinctions a la Toner and Rosenbaum. LINK

The Washington Post 's Justin Blum compares Bush and Kerry's energy plans, both with a "focus on an elusive goal: reducing dependence on foreign oil." And as with most of the differences between the two men, the devil is in the details of the how. LINK

Some specifics: LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: GOTV:

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette looks at the mobilization of groups centered around a certain demographic that are working hard to get out the vote for their side in this election. "Orthodox Christians for Bush. Grandkids for Kerry. First Responders for Bush. The Steel City Stonewall Democrats for Kerry," to name a few. LINK

Newsweek's Arian Campo-Flores and Daren Briscoe write about efforts to turnout black voters and party posturing over fears of voter suppression. Newsweek/>LINK

Newsweek's Rebecca Sinderbrand writes, "In Missouri, where more than a third of the residents described themselves as "born-again" Christians in one recent survey — and in swing states around the country — evangelicals are now some of the GOP's most devoted foot soldiers." Newsweek/>LINK

The Washington Post 's Dale Russakoff looks at the grassroots political activists — the regular folks, particularly in safe Red or Blue states, who are leaving their homes and heading to the battlegrounds to push for their candidates. LINK

Two very telling passages:

"While pro-Kerry volunteers were eager to talk about their travels and efforts, Republican volunteers even in small towns referred a reporter to the Republican National Committee, saying they have been instructed not to talk about their activities."

"The pro-Kerry organization appears somewhat more haphazard."

Yvonne Abraham of the Boston Globe explains the importance of undecideds in the battlegrounds. LINK

"As they enter their final week of campaigning, both candidates are planning a series of rallies to energize their bases," write Glen Johnson and Rick Klein of the Boston Globe . Check out the story to find out how. LINK

Peter Canellos of the Boston Globe takes an interesting look at the "Boston-Austin" axis. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Bush-Cheney re-elect:

The Los Angeles Times' Maura Reynolds and James Gerstenzang wrap President Bush's campaign events in Florida Saturday, during which he used "peppery rhetoric and the stagecraft of the presidency to awe and energize his supporters in a homestretch effort to get out the vote." LINK

The Washington Times reports Bush rallies have risen to the level of stadium-venue status. LINK

Because it's all about baseball these days. Rick Klein Notes that President Bush made a grand entrance at a rally yesterday at City of Palms Park, the field that is the Red Sox spring training home. LINK

BC04's Scott Stanzel couldn't resist: "'Unlike John Kerry, the Red Sox have a record they can be proud of,' Stanzel said."

The Boston Herald's Noelle Straub writes that the president "awed 11,000 supporters with a movie-quality Marine One landing yesterday on the outfield of City of Palms Park, spring home of the Boston Red Sox." LINK

"This election is about Rovism — the insinuation of Rove's electoral tactics into the conduct of the presidency and the fabric of the government," writes Neal Gabler on the op-ed page of the Los Angeles Times. LINK

Vice President Cheney asked supporters in Farmington, NM to consider what the world would be like if John Kerry had been President instead of Senator and making the "crucial decisions" over the last two decades, reports ABC News' Karen Travers.

Cheney said that if Kerry had been in charge:

— "We would have ceded our right to defend ourselves to the UN"

— "Maybe the Soviet Union would still be in business"

—"Saddam might well control the Persian Gulf today"

— Saddam "might well have nuclear weapons"

—"America would have to meet some sort of global test before military action"

Cheney came to these conclusions by pointing out Kerry's platform in his first congressional run, his votes against weapons systems in the 1980s, his vote against the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and his comments at the debate in Miami last month.

The Washington Post 's Michael Laris was there too. LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Gerstenzang explores Lynne Cheney's role on the campaign trail. LINK

"In their campaign appearances, the vice president plays the central role, to be sure. But when his wife speaks up, more often than not her commentary — offered as he finishes his response to a question — sharpens his answer."

ABC News Vote 2004: Kerry-Edwards '04:

The Washington Post 's Laura Blumenfeld offers up a profile of the restless, ambitious, and in-a-hurry John Kerry, Noting that "as Election Day approaches in this close contest, Kerry's reputation as a good closer will be put to the ultimate test." LINK

Kerry was making a play for Hispanic voters on a swing through three western states, reports the Washington Times . LINK

"Leaders of Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry's national campaign have decided to spend an additional $50,000 in Virginia, signaling that they have not given up all hope of winning the state," reports the Washington Post 's Michael Shear. LINK

Shear looks at the get-out-the-vote efforts in Virginia. LINK

The Boston Herald's Ann Dolan calls President Clinton the "ultimate Democratic big gun." LINK

In Bob Novak's Sunday potpourri, he writes, "Senator Hillary Clinton's public criticism of Senator John Kerry's part in the Mary Cheney affair provoked speculation inside Democratic ranks about closing the books on 2004 and getting ready for Mrs. Clinton's presidential run in 2008." LINK

The Washington Times takes a look at John Kerry's Senate record and concludes, "He's more an investigator than a legislator." Jerry Seper reports Kerry's "defining moments" have "thrust him into the national spotlight." LINK

The Raleigh News & Observer 's Rob Christensen follows Edwards around the Rust Belt. LINK

Poor John Kerry won't get to see his beloved Red Sox play in the World Series. LINK

Michael Kinsley Notes that Teresa Heinz Kerry paid more "than the average tax burden on the top 1 percent of taxpayers and double the burden on all taxpayers, according to a chart that ran with the first Journal editorial. So whatever point Teresa Kerry's critics were making is wrong as well as utterly obscure." LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: ballotwatch:

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals last night rejected a federal judge's decision to allow provisional ballots cast in Ohio on Election Day to be counted if the voter shows up at the wrong precinct in the right county.

At the same time, it rejected Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's directive that voters have to PROVE beforehand that they lived in the precinct before they could get a provisional ballot.

This is a partial victory for both sides — the court recognized the right of voters to get a provisional ballot with no questions asked. But it accepted Blackwell's contention that he was given the authority to set the conditions by which those ballots are accepted.

Prof. Rick Hasen on the significance of the decision: LINK

The Columbus Dispatch also looks at the decision, which both sides are calling a victory. LINK

The Charlotte Observer's Dodd and Mellnik report, "As many as 60,000 voters may be registered to cast ballots in both Carolinas — and officials aren't checking." LINK

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette warns readers of the scads of lawyers and consultants and others who will be watching them vote on Nov. 2. LINK

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that some local elections leaders are predicting it could take a month to count all the provisional ballots. LINK

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Dick Polman looks at how this election could bring on another cold, hard look at the American voting system, or maybe not. LINK

George Will previews John Fund's new book, which deals with voter fraud and election anxiety. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: ballotwatch: watchdog:

Send those comments and questions to politicalunit@abcnews.com

ABC News Vote 2004: Florida:

Peter Wallsten of the Los Angeles Times reports the New Democrat Network's latest ad targeting Cuban voters in South Florida. LINK

The Orlando Sentinel says that 60,000 people have voted early in the Orlando media market. LINK

The Miami Herald on the ballot measures that could raise turnout. LINK

Keep in mind: tomorrow, federal judge says he'll rule whether to allow 14,000 voters who didn't turn in complete registration forms to get another shot at the process.

ABC News Vote 2004: Ohio:

Newsweek's Howard Fineman writes, "In Ohio, and across the country, the election has the feel of a slow-motion Civil War for the soul of America: urgent, thrilling, ominous, evenly and therefore bitterly divided." Newsweek/>LINK

The New York Post 's Angela Montefinise reports that "neighbors are tearing out each other's rival party signs, and previously happy romances are falling apart" in Franklin County. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Pennsylvania:

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's James O'Toole examines the latest Pennsylvania Poll and how not much is has a-changed in the Keystone State. Latest PA horserace: 46-44 Kerry, MoE 3.5 percent. LINK

Note: Ralph Nader will not appear on the ballot here.

Note Note: Philadelphia native and musical legend Patti LaBelle will be singing the tune of Democratic brotherly love when she performs at the Love Field love-in with former President Bill Clinton.

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Moore and Parmley tell readers that, despite that it would look to most on the surface to be an impossibility, the presidential candidates will be stepping it up more in these last nine days — and both candidates will be talking to their base. LINK

Besides the president's 42 visits and Kerry's 20, "The campaigns, to date, have spent in excess of $40 million on TV ads in Pennsylvania, and have deputized more than 200,000 volunteers to ring bells, make phone calls, and pack rallies from Erie to Philadelphia."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sits down with 5 undecided voters who, after months of serious deliberation, have decided to vote for Senator Kerry by a 3-2 margin. LINK

Philadelphia Inquirer Tom Ferrick cleverly looks at religion in politics this second to last Sunday before the election. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Colorado:

"The estimated 16,000 Coloradans training as election judges are learning to run polling places in ways that vary dramatically between counties," reports the Denver Post. LINK

Some Colorado counties are already tallying the results of early voting. LINK

Vice President Dick Cheney and Senator candidate Pete Coors campaigned together in Grand Junction Saturday. LINK

Kerry and Salazar teamed up in Pueblo, an area of the state that is friendly to Democrats. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Wisconsin:

The Chicago Tribune's Jeff Zeleny leads a look at door-to-door battles in the Milwaukee area. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: New Hampshire:

Thomas Oliphant describes the ethics issue in the New Hampshire governor's race. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Nevada:

He may have recently gone hunting in Ohio, but perhaps the picture can help Senator Kerry in Nevada as well. The Los Angeles Times looks at how Democrats deal with gun issues in Nevada. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Minnesota:

The Star Tribune hangs in a deli in a Twin Cities' suburb in Anoka County. "To listen to Anoka in the fall shadows of the presidential campaign is to hear an electorate that is at once anxious and resolute, with doubts about both candidates but unusual determination to cast a ballot. The election is dividing families and friends, co-workers and classmates. And a walk down the town's Main Street shows how the sound and fury over the race has reached a fever pitch." LINK

Coincidence? Jim Ragsdale of the Pioneer Press also reports back from a coffee house visit. "The battle between Republican President George Bush and Democratic U.S. Senator John Kerry might be a clear-cut, up-or-down decision to political insiders. But people who will cast the ballots — like those sipping coffee at a busy Apple Valley meeting place one morning last week — see the election within the context of personal experience." LINK

To settle any argument Minnesota voters may be having on the street, the Pioneer Press straightens things out: Minnesota voters CAN register on Election Day. LINK

Local activists for Kerry. LINK

African minister for Bush. LINK

And an undecided National Guardsman back from Iraq. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: the Senate:

The Boston Globe 's Sarah Milligan takes a look at some key Senate races. LINK

The New York Times on Daschle v. Thune. LINK

Who else but Thomas DeFrank could get the New York Daily News to give an article about a South Dakota Senate races such good space and placement in a presidential year? The story centers on Daschle who is "fighting for his political life," but big pictures other key Senate races. Can you hear the sound of checkbooks opening all over Manhattan? LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: the Governors:

The Washington Post 's Peter Slevin looks at how Democrat Claire McCaskill is emphasizing her experience — by emphasizing the 17-year age difference between her and her Republican opponent for governor, Matt Blunt. LINK

The politics of national security:

"Senators working on the bill to restructure U.S. intelligence-gathering will not accept House-proposed language delivered late Friday on the powers for a national intelligence director and other elements, according to congressional staff members involved in the conference committee negotiations," reports the Washington Post 's Walter Pincus. LINK

Nader-Camejo:

The U.S. Supreme Court denied Ralph Nader's petition for stay of a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision to keep him off the Nov. 2 ballot. A similar appeal is pending with the court, to decide his fate in Ohio. LINK

Tom Raum of AP Notes Nader has begun to say this year's election presents voters with the unpleasant choice between "heart disease and cancer." LINK

Pollsters/Reporters have begun to quantify Nader's support down to the decimal point. Zogby gives him 1.1 percent in Maine. LINK

Media:

The Los Angeles Times takes an excellent look at the history of Sinclair Broadcasting. LINK

Richard Viguerie and David Franke Note "Whatever the outcome on Nov. 2, this election will be remembered as the year when these alternative media all came together to change how politics in America is practiced." LINK

Jodi Wilgoren, blushing bride to be, has 42 days until her big day. LINK

TODAY'S SCHEDULE (all times ET):

—10:00 am: Ralph Nader holds a press conference at the Radisson Hotel, Corning, NY

—11:00: ABC's Charlie Gibson interviews President Bush at the Bush ranch, Crawford, TX

—11:00 am: Sen. John Kerry attends church services at Mount Herman AME Church, Fort Lauderdale, FL

—11:00 am: Sen. John Edwards speaks at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, Cincinnati, OH

—11:30 am: Elizabeth Edwards attends church services at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

—12:15 pm: Red Sox Chairman and television executive Tom Werner speaks to Kerry-Edwards supporters in front of Holman Stadium, Nashua, NH

—1:00 pm: Ralph Nader holds a press conference and rally at Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY

—2:00 pm: Former Vice President Al Gore attends an early vote rally on the Leon County Courthouse Lawn, Tallahassee, FL

—2:15 pm: Sen. Kerry delivers a speech on values and beliefs at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

—2:20 pm: Sen. Edwards holds a "Fresh Start for America" rally at Dunbar High School, Dayton, OH

—3:30 pm: Elizabeth Edwards hosts a town hall discussion at Downey Middle School, Harrisburg, PA

—5:00 pm: Ralph Nader holds a press conference and rally at the Dnipro, Ukranian Home/Cultural Center, Buffalo, NY

—5:15 pm: Sen. Kerry attends a "Fresh Start for America" rally at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL

—5:45 pm: Sen. Edwards holds a "Fresh Start for America" rally on North Main Street, Lima, OH

—5:50 pm: President Bush holds a rally at Alamogordo High School, Alamogordo, NM