Final preparations underway for Wednesday debate
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Posted 9:23 PM 2/21/2012 : Final preparations underway for Wednesday debate
MESA - The race to the White House runs through Arizona Wednesday night.
The final four candidates, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich are preparing to do battle on state, perhaps in their last debate.
The Mesa Arts Center building is prepped, security is tight, and the CNN Express bus has rolled in. "We are here seeing America unfold and how everything is being done to get ready for the night," said Bill Schmeling, a spectator walking around the Mesa Arts Center.
The eyes of the nation are certainly on Arizona. Wednesday night's debate will be the last time the final four take the stage before Arizona and Michigan's primaries next week. "Mesa and Arizona will be the focal point of the entire country. This debate is pivotal. This could decide who goes forward," said Scott Smith, Mayor of Mesa.
CNN arrived Saturday with close to 100 workers, and that's just them. "All the local people we hire, carpenters and lighting folks, people to help with power, build the tent for the press file, probably 150 to 200 people touched something," said Katie Lunger, Senior Executive Producer for CNN.
Twelve to 15 million people are expected to watch Wednesday's CNN Republican Presidential Debate. The city of Mesa is also having a viewing party right on Main Street.
Stay tuned to KVOA all night for the latest coverage and debate highlights on News 4 Tucson at 10 Wednesday night.
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