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Crockett leads McAdams 40-37. The presidential debates begin. 34 days until Election Day.

Happy Wednesday. On the eve of the first presidential debate, conservative news outlets tout a 2007 video of Barack Obama speaking candidly to an audience of black ministers, including a "special shout out" to Pastor Jeremiah Wright, a move that claims a side of Obama rarely released and racially charged. [DailyCaller] Others question the clip's newsworthiness. [DailyBeast]

-> The Romney campaign denies any involvement with the timely video resurgence. [BuzzFeed]

-> Tonights the night: 9 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Mountain Time, the candidates take the stage. Look to sltrib.com for coverage as the showdown begins. The Washington Post answers eight questions you might have about tonight's presidential debate. [WaPost]

Topping the news: A poll conducted last week by Dan Jones & Associates gives Republican Mark Crockett a 40-37 lead over State Sen. Ben McAdams in the Salt Lake County mayoral race. [DNews]

-> Longtime Tribune publisher Jack Gallivan, who helped bring the Olympics to Utah as well as liquor-by-the-drink, dies at age 97. [Trib]

-> A Border Patrol agent killed near the Mexican Border in Arizona yesterday was a Utahn who was just called to lead his LDS ward. [Trib] [DNews]

Tweet of the day: From @yoonCNN: "35 days till Election Day; the 2000 Florida Recount lasted 36 days"

Happy birthday: To KSL's Doug Wright and Rich Piatt.

In other news: In the last of the week's four debates between the 4th District candidates, Mia Love said she would consider supporting the reinstatement the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and Jim Matheson opposed the idea. [DNews] [KCPW]

-> Bob Bernick says Matheson is in real trouble this year. [UtahPolicy]

-> Paul Rolly discusses stolen yard signs, Bill Clinton's near-Mormon moment and the transfer of money from Utah's 3rd district to its 4th. [Trib]

-> An Orem-based auditing company determined Salt Lake County's 2011 financial records to be in good shape. [Trib]

2012 watch: Much to the campaign's dismay, the fun, personable side of Romney is stowed away in "off the record" interactions. [BuzzFeed]

-> Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid doubles down on his comments that Romney is not the face of Mormonism. [KSL]

-> Politico looks at 10 quotes that haunt Obama. [Politico]

-> While Romney and Obama tucked themselves away to prepare for tonight's debate, they relied on their spouses and running mates to campaign in critical states. [APviaWaPost]

-> Libertarian presidential hopeful Gary Johnson hosted a town hall-style meeting at the Challenger School in Salt Lake City on Tuesday. [Trib] [Fox13]

-> Romney says he plans to honor two-year visas granted to young illegal immigrants but will have a new plan in place by the time they expire, a softened stance on a tough subject that resonates with voters he is trying to draw. [DenverPost]

-> Romney's presidential pursuit has increased curiosity about the Mormon faith, as evidenced by a significant peak in Google searches during both his 2008 and 2012 campaigns. [MonkeyCage]

-> Ann Romney plays an increasingly important role in her husband's campaign. [NYTimes]

-> For those wondering: if elected, no, Romney will not legalize marijuana. [WaPost]

Where are they?

Gov. Gary Herbert attends a campus ribbon cutting ceremony in Logan before meeting with Cache County commissioners.

SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon meets with Sarah Wright and Rebecca Nelson of Utah Clean Energy before acting as a judge at the Great Salt Lake Chili Affair.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker sits in on a Sugar House Streetcar meeting and later meets with SLC Police Chief Chris Burbank.

President Barack Obama participates in the first presidential debate.

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [Trib]

— Thomas Burr and Betsy BlanchardTwitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/betsyblanchard