As we gear up to watch President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney take the stage, here are five things to look for in tonight's debate.

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Welcome to the first presidential debate of 2012! Something very different happening tonight here on CNN.com - as well as on CNN TV. We'll explain it all here. Check out this new feature which allows YOU to create viral moments and put it out on social media, using technology on CNN.com.

What's it like playing President Obama in debate preparations? CNN's Dana Bash talked with Sen. Rob Portman, who sparred with Mitt Romney.

By the numbers: Presidential and vice presidential debates, per CNN’s Amy Roberts

61: Percent of households that watched the third debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon on October 13, 1960.

12: Times Jim Lehrer from PBS has served as the moderator, including 2012.

4: Debates with more than two debaters. When Ross Perot ran as a third-party Independent candidate in 1992, he and running mate James Stockdale participated in the debates with Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush, and Al Gore and Dan Quayle.

For more debate numbers: www.cnn.com

From CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin:

According to a source close to the debate process:

-- Obama and his debate team met in the ballroom of the Henderson hotel for debate prep, after the president received his daily intelligence briefings. There were no snacks in the room, just bottled water.

-- He squeezed in study time late night at the residence, on Air Force One and crammed with advisers at the White House.

-- He has had to cut debate prep short because of presidential duties, including on Sept. 14 when he received the fallen Americans from the Benghazi attack.

According to multiple sources:

-- Ron Klain played the role of debate moderator. Klain, former Biden chief of staff, was immortalized by Kevin Spacey in HBO's "Recount." He served as general counsel for Al Gore's recount effort.

@anna You need to click on the CC button. Hover over your red bar and you should see it if you're watching online. - dm

I'm really excited about the debate tonight. Will be interesting to see them both on the same stage. What are you expecting tonight?

I can't wait to see Madonna's halftime show

Getting ready to go at the @CNN Factcheck Desk. We are expecting a slow night. (Verdict: Mostly False)

From CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash, Romney's debate prep sessions lasted 2.5 hours long--an hour longer than the 90 minutes scheduled for the showdown.

Jim Lehrer is hosting his 12th presidential or vice-presidential debate Wednesday night. His background includes decades of print and television journalism, as well as a stint in the military. Read more

Earlier today, John King wrote what the debate was "all about" - trust. I'd trust him - he knows these things.

I'd love to hear a gun control question - but I won't. RT @pigeonboy1984 What question are you hoping gets asked #pmtdebate

A segment of tonight’s debate will focus on the role of the federal government. And a CNN/ORC poll shows a big shift in Americans’ opinions on the issue. The survey indicates just four in 10 registered voters believe the government should promote traditional values, down from 53% in 2010 and 57% in 2008, per CNN’s Paul Steinhauser

politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com

Romney and his motorcade have departed his hotel, now headed to the debate site in Denver.

According to the press pool report, Romney and motorcade are en route to the debate site.

i'm with u MT @AriFleischer: Here's what I'm looking for. A Romney win;for the Yanks 2beat the Red Sox. take an Orioles and Obama loss.

Let's start the night with TRIVIA question #1: Who was the person responsible for the presidential debate moment that made "lockbox" a catchphrase? ...leave your answer in the comments section