As President Bush and challenger John Kerry prepare for this week’s debate, we hope voters are setting aside time to watch coverage of the event as well.

The first of three presidential debates will be broadcast from Coral Gables, Fla., Thursday night, and it’s a great opportunity for undecided voters to get a look at the candidates firsthand. For that matter, it’s an opportunity for any voter to take a look at the candidates and hear how they stand on issues.

Perhaps it is fitting that storm-battered Florida &045; which was election weary four years ago &045; be the host of the first debate.

If you listen to the pundits, this election is going to be decided by a relative few &045; the few undecided voters who have not yet picked sides. Only the &uot;battleground&uot; states seem to be getting the attention of the candidates and the media these days.

But with polls going back and forth every week, we’re not sure anyone is certain whether any candidate has things sewn up &045; or whether it will be a thriller of an election night as it was four years ago.

No one has yet cast a vote, and anything can happen. We encourage voters to take the time to watch the debates and to see how each candidate responds on issues such as the economy, Iraq, terrorism, healthcare and homeland security.

This is an important time for our country, and it’s an important to pay attention.