9 p.m. ET on FNC, as always. Maverick himself reportedly goes after Obama on Ayers “with gusto,” so look out for that, as well as for the obligatory Fannie/Freddie fingerpointing. Asked for his reaction to the Ayers stuff tonight on ABC, The One invited McCain to say it to his face at the next debate. If he doesn’t, will Obama raise the subject himself to affect a little fightin’-nutroots-brand faux indignation, or is it simply too toxic a topic for him to broach in whatever context? The answer, as always: Depends on how the polls look next week.

While we wait, a sneak preview from the show in which McCain follows Cindy’s right hook this afternoon with a couple of jabs.