6 p.m. EDT — Plenty of “game day” scenesetters on all the cable news channels.  Chris Matthews has just finished interviewing the Hofstra students cheering on their favorites (mainly Obama, it appears).  CBS’ Bob Schieffer, the moderator for tonight, is featured in some press accounts this morning that criticize Lehrer, Ifill, Brokaw for not being more aggressive questioners on the previous three debates.  Anyone who has watched Schieffer over the years and decades must think this unlikely.  Bare knuckled interviewing is not his style.

The big news of the daytime news cycle is the CNN poll that has Obama leading McCain in Virginia by more than 10 points.  Palin and Biden have campaign appearances today, but say nothing remarkable.

I’ll offer more views as debate preparations unfold…