Clinton says he hopes tonight's debate focuses on economy

CORAL GABLES, Florida (CNN) -- President Bill Clinton told Democratic supporters today he hoped tonight's presidential debate will focus on the future of the U.S. economy.

In a fund-raising speech here for Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign for the Senate from New York, Clinton said voters must choose between the targeted tax cut proposed by Vice President Al Gore or Republican rival George W. Bush's across-the-board proposal.

Clinton asked if the United States was going to "have a tax cut we can afford" or one that will "throw us back into deficits, raise interest rates and get this country in trouble." The president told supporters to "listen and see if that's adequately aired tonight."

Clinton said he believes voters are focused on issues this year, which he said will help the Democrats.

With just five weeks to go until Election Day, Gore and Bush are scheduled to debate at 9 p.m. EDT in Boston, Massachusetts. CNN and CNN.com will carry live coverage.

The debate comes as the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll showed Gore leading Bush 46 percent to 44 percent of voters polled, following a neck-and-neck trend over the past weeks.