Tonight on CNN “starting” at 7pm. I say “starting” because a “special preview” apparently begins at that time. The actual debate begins at 8pm.

The Clinton Machine has been warning CNN’s Wolf Blitzer not to be too harsh on her (what, does he think she’s running for President or something?). Blitzer’s not too keen on that idea:

On Tuesday, a top aide to Hillary Clinton indirectly warned moderator Wolf Blitzer not to be too hard on her in Thursday’s debate. The warning was issued via the Drudge Report, an influential Web site that has received numerous leaks from the Clinton campaign on such topics as her fundraising prowess.

“This campaign is about issues, not on who we can bring down and destroy,” a senior Clinton aide told cyberjournalist Matt Drudge. “Blitzer should not go down to the levels of character attack and pull ‘a Russert.’ ”

Blitzer, who said he had not been directly contacted by the Clinton campaign, called the New York Democrat “a sophisticated, strong politician.” But he also issued his own veiled warning.

“If she can’t handle the heat during a Democratic contest, wait until the Republicans really start going after her…If she’s the nominee.”

Yeah, we’ll see exactly how “tough” he’s going really going to be on her. I’d like to see her asked about licenses for illegal aliens. Yeah, I know she’s opposed to it now, but I’d like to see her questioned about her wavering stance before Spitzer pulled the plan.

I’ll live-blog if possible, but if I can’t please stay tuned to MM.