Kerry now in spin room calls Romney boasts of his Mass record "one of the greatest charades of all time."

Kerry in spin room on Romney claims of bipartisanship in Mass: "Country be warned."

Pic: inside the debate hall. Sources say romney , a mormon who doesn't drink, practiced getting on car stools. p.twimg.com

.@CRiganti thanks! I knew I heard that somewhere. We need you on the panel tonight!

we're having fun on CNN RT @markos: Pre-debate hours are so boring. #cnn2012 #cnndebate

Now MD Gov Martin O'Malley in spin room. We're gonna have to come up with a new name for this place BEFORE a debate. #CNNDebate

Will Obama accept responsibility for the security of U.S. diplomats, as Secretary of State Clinton did in an interview with CNN on Monday, when asked about the attacks in Libya? "You'll have to listen to the president tonight," Sen. John Kerry told reporters in the spin room. Kerry has a unique insight into Obama's debate preparations, as he played the role of Romney in the president's mock sessions.

"She has accepted responsibility as secretary of state," Kerry continued, "and I'm confident that the president accepts responsibility -- I know he does -- as president of the United States." Kerry adds that "absolutely" the buck stops with the president.

CNN's coverage of the 2nd pres. debate begins now - watch live on @CNN TV and CNN.com , and join the conversation. #CNNDebate

Let's let John King tell us about how high the stakes are tonight: "Democrats are nervous. A race many of them thought was a lock just a few weeks ago is now a dead heat, the momentum with the other side.

Republicans are upbeat, seeing a chance to not only build on the battleground state progress made as a result of the first debate, but also possibilities to expand the fight into states long thought safe in the Obama basket, Michigan and Pennsylvania chief among them."

so how did he get things done in 80% dem state? MT @JohnKerry: If ignoring MA del/spkr/state prez for 4 yrs = bipartisanship, Mitt nailed it

Brianna Keilar has details now on TV about Obama's debate prep - breakfast, prep, lunch, prep, dinner, prep.

For trivia, polls and fun facts check out #CNN's live blog of the 2nd presidential debate here: CNN.com #CNNDebate

CNN Chief National Correspondent John King says Romney fired up his base and made gains among suburbanites, including women, after the last debate.

Who has been the best debater so far? @BarackObama or @MittRomney? Vote here: at.cnn.com #CNNDebate

Dana Bash on Romney's debate prep live on CNN now: half of Romney's days between the debates has been going through debate prep.

Expect last month's violence in Libya to come up in tonight's debate. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made headlines last night when she took responsibility for the safety of diplomats in an interview with CNN Foreign Affairs Report Elise Labott. But Romney's campaign signaled earlier today that the GOP nominee will offer his take tonight on Clinton's comments.

I think the odds that Romney wins a debate twice in a row are as likely as an earthquake hitting Boston tonight.