On the scene with Bob Franken in St. Louis

Franken

CNN.com talked with National Correspondent Bob Franken about Tuesday's presidential debate in St. Louis, Missouri, between candidates Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

Q: How has the death of Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan changed the mood surrounding tonight's presidential debate?

FRANKEN: Well, obviously, the death of someone who was well-known and popular in the political world has cast a pall over things and there was some thought given to postponing the debate. But after a meeting at dawn this morning between debate officials and both campaign staffs, who then consulted with Gov. Carnahan's staff, there was a consensus that Carnahan "would have wanted them to go forward" with the debate.

There will be one change this evening that's a result of this tragedy, instead of immediately beginning with the debate, each candidate will be allowed to express his feelings about Carnahan and offer condolences.

Q: Aren't the campaigns of both presidential candidates afraid that going ahead with the debate will insult voters in Missouri, a battleground state that might help win the election?

FRANKEN: I don't think that's a consideration. I think there is general agreement that no one will be offended by the political process going forward.

Q: Is the Gore camp concerned that Carnahan's death will reduce Democratic voter turnout in Missouri?

FRANKEN: Possibly. The cold, political calculation is his death increases the chances that GOP incumbent Sen. John Ashcroft will win in what was -- before the plane crash -- a close political contest. And the result of that is the Democrats' slight hopes of taking over the Senate have been dealt a sharp blow because a Carnahan win was key to those hopes.

Q: What is each candidate doing today to prepare for tonight's debate?

FRANKEN: Not really that much. Relaxing. Boning up. Taking it easy mainly. You can over prepare, they're well aware of that.

Q: How much of a feeling is there in each campaign that tonight's final presidential debate is a "make-or-break" event that the election largely hinges on?

FRANKEN: "Make-or-break" may be a little strong. Each candidate probably agrees with the statement that this could be vital. Neither candidate has been able to pull away from the other. The impressions here will be the last face-to-face event. Most agree the pressure is mostly on Gore, who was expected to seriously do damage to Bush during the first two debates, and Gore clearly didn't do that. So Gore has to score a knockout in the opinion of most voters and regain the momentum from Bush.