2004 hours--the pre-debate, and the lead-in

candidates, and their endorsers--

for Clinton, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and for Obama, Tim Hagan

Tim speaks to "inspiration" and "new hope"

Tubbs Jones speaks to "poise" and being "the best president of the United States of America"

point: Hagan

And now, here come the firefighters and bagpipes...and then, the political commercials and sound bytes, delivered for maximum effect and efficiency.