FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: About 34 days until California voters decide on the recall, and there are just hours remaining before the first debate of the campaign. But our Kelly Wallace reports most of the attention is centered on who will not be attending.</s>KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Arnold Schwarzenegger went on the offensive Tuesday doing a series of radio and television interviews to explain why he won't be at tonight's debate. He says that he has received numerous offers to debate, and that he can't do them all, and that he is choosing to do one debate -- a forum sponsored by the California Broadcasters Association later this month. However, this is the only debate where the candidates will get the questions in advance. Now, Schwarzenegger's aides are adamantly denying that this is the reason the candidate chose this debate. They say that the California Broadcasters Association has a good track record for carrying out gubernatorial debates, and that is why they chose this forum. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Republican rivals, though, are seizing on this issue. An aide to state Senator Tom McClintock is telling CNN -- quote -- "Schwarzenegger is always great when he has a script." Now, Schwarzenegger is not going to cede the spotlight today though. The other major candidates will be swearing off in the first debate of this California recall election, but Mr. Schwarzenegger will also be taking center stage. He will be delivering a speech to college students -- a sign that the Schwarzenegger camp wants to keep the candidate in the spotlight the same day the other candidates will be in the spotlight as well. Kelly Wallace, CNN, reporting from Los Angeles.
California Recall:  Schwarzenegger to Skip Tonight's Debate