* President Bush and Senator Kerry were in Tempe, Ariz., for their final face-to-face debate last night, where they clashed on issues ranging from the war on terror to domestic issues such as immigration, job losses, abortion, and tax cuts. “There’s a mainstream in American politics and you sit right on the far left bank,” the president said of his Democratic opponent during the contentious 90-minute debate. On health-care, Mr. Kerry said “the president has turned his back on the wellness of America, and there is no system, and it’s starting to fall apart.” The debate was moderated by Bob Schieffer of CBS.

* Vice President Cheney spoke to about 600 supporters at a town hall meeting in Meadville, Pa. He questioned whether Mr. Kerry is serious enough to be president, criticizing the senator’s comments that America has to get back to a place where “terrorists are not the focus of our lives, but they’re a nuisance.”

* Senator Edwards, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, was in Medford, Ore., yesterday, where he told 3,000 supporters that Mr. Bush failed to recognize the nation’s problems and was “out of touch” with Americans.

POLLS

* A Washington Post/ABC News national poll released yesterday had Mr. Kerry leading Mr. Bush 49% to 48%, while a Reuters/Zogby poll showed the candidates tied at 45%. A Rasmussen poll had Mr. Bush ahead, 48% to 46%.