David Gregory on NBC's "Meet the Press" set just before the start of the Illinois Senate debate. (photo by Lynn Sweet)

WASHINGTON--It's a lovely morning; the Illinois Senate candidates have arrived at the NBC studios here in advance of their first debate on "Meet the Press," moderated by David Gregory. The show will be televised at 11 a.m. Chicago time; 10:30 a.m. eastern time. It's a high stakes debate because it is the first.

Kirk and Giannoulias had a joint appearence before the Tribune editorial board--and both appeared at a session last May sponsored by the Metropolitan Planning Council--but they were not on the same stage at the same time.

My post on the GOP declaring a Kirk victory in the debate before it happens is here.

My column on the three Illinois Senate debates--and why there is not a fourth--is here.