CNN (And the Candidates) Prep for Tonight’s CNN Tea Party Debate

CNN is in the final stages of preparing for tonight’s CNN Tea Party Debate.

The candidates are as well, as the exclusive photo to the right shows. That is Texas Governor Rick Perry standing behind his podium, giving him a chance to see what the auditorium will look like, and CNN a chance to test out lighting and camera angles.

As has become de rigueur during debates, CNN says that the official hashtag will be #CNNTeaParty. Viewers can tweet questions with that hashtag, and moderator Wolf Blitzer will choose some to ask the candidates.

The debate will run on CNN, CNN International, CNN Radio and CNN.com from 8-10 PM ET. Video of CNN DC bureau chief Sam Feist explaining the set after the jump.