[Blitzer:] We have a new CNN poll out on the Democratic race for the White House, and we're counting down to the final face-off of the year, the PBS NewsHour Politico presidential debate tonight, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, airing right here on CNN, and your local PBS station. Our senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny is joining us with a little preview from Los Angeles. Jeff, first of all, a new CNN poll has Biden in the lead. What will the other Democrats be challenging him on tonight?
[Jeff Zeleny, Cnn Senior Washington Correspondent:] Wolf, so interesting this new CNN poll. It's really ending the year as it began at least for Joe Biden. Joe Biden is leading the way in the national poll. Let's take a look at those numbers which speak to the dynamics of the debate this evening. Joe Biden is leading the way nationally at 26 percent, followed by Bernie Sanders at 20 percent. Elizabeth Warren, 16 percent and it goes from there. Pete Buttigieg, also Mike Bloomberg, former New York City mayor at 5 percent. But, Wolf, that really sets the tone for Joe Biden is going to be center stage as he has been throughout the year. But perhaps the center of attention will be on Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg. Since the last debate, a month ago in Georgia, those two candidates have been going after each other in ways they have not the entire year. Senator Warren has been calling out Mayor Buttigieg on healthcare for a lack of transparency, in her words. He has been going after her on healthcare, as well. So, Wolf, that is going to be a central issue tonight at this debate. What is the size and scope of health care? Is Medicare-for-All the way to go or is it not? And Elizabeth Warren actually has been changing some of her language in recent weeks on that. Of course, she's been stung on the price tag for Medicare-for-All. So, those are some of the dynamics. But also look for Amy Klobuchar, the senator from Minnesota. She's been making some waves as well by going after Senator Warren. And then Bernie Sanders, of course, has been strong throughout the year. So certainly, seven candidates on stage tonight here and those are some of the top line, Wolf.
[Blitzer:] Interesting number, about which candidate has the best chance to beat the president in this new poll? And that is the central question. Electability is on everyone's mind. Take a look at these numbers, Wolf. Joe Biden leading the way at that 40 percent of voters in our survey say they believe he has the best chance at beating Trump. Bernie Sanders right after that at 16 percent. A big drop-off there. So, electability center stage here. Are voters looking for a healer or a fighter? A pragmatist? A progressive? Those are some of the questions that are going to define this race. The debate coming up tonight just in here two hours, Wolf. We'll be watching. All right. Thanks very much. The PBS "NewsHour" Politico Democratic presidential debate starts actually in one hour from now. You can watch it on CNN and your local PBS station. To our viewers, thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in THE SITUATION ROOM. You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @WolfBlitzer. You can tweet the show @CNNsitroom. "ERIN BURNETT OUTFRONT" starts right now.