NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Republican presidential hopeful John McCain is scheduled to arrive in Nashville on Monday for the debate after making a stop in New Mexico.

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On Monday, McCain spoke at a rally at the University of New Mexico and said that more had to be done to shore up the economy. The Republican presidential candidate said that Congress’ plan is a tourniquet and not a permanent solution.

Once in Nashville, McCain staffers said he will stay in the city and will be resting and preparing for the debate with no public events scheduled on Tuesday.

Obama is scheduled to arrive in Nashville on Tuesday but has no public events scheduled.

McCain's campaign said it's going to increase its attacks against Obama. Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin attacked the Illinois senator Monday morning at a rally in Clearwater, Fla.

"One of his (Obama's) earliest supporters is a man named Bill Ayers. According to The New York Times, he was a domestic terrorist and part of a group that, 'launched a campaign of bombings that would target the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol,'" said Palin.

Obama's supporters have been on the offensive as well, releasing a video that criticizes McCain's relationship with Charles Keating, a thrift owner who was convicted of securities fraud.

Meanwhile, Barack Obama practiced his debate skills at a rally in Asheville, N.C., on Sunday.

He told a crowd of supporters that McCain should focus his campaign on the issues instead of attacking him.

Belmont Ready For Debate

Crews worked over the weekend to finalize preparations inside the Curb Event Center, where the debate will be held. Belmont University's president said the whole situation is a dream come true for his school.

"The idea for the debate really began right about here (at the Curb Event Center) when it was a parking lot, standing here with Mike Curb. We just began talking about what might happen at the Curb Event Center someday," said Belmont University president Bob Fisher.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Gov. Phil Bredesen said the publicity benefits the city.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance," said Dean, "to send a letter to the entire world and to the country about what’s going on in Nashville."

"I think it's a great coming-of-age for the state," said Bredesen. "It's the first presidential debate here. It's a great chance for 3,000 journalists to see what we have in our state (and) see some of the people in our state."

Video: Bredesen Talks About State Publicity

The latest Gallup Poll has Obama ahead of McCain, 52 to 43 percent.

Declaration Of Independence Copy Comes To Nashville

One of 25 original copies of the Declaration of Independence was at the downtown Nashville library on Monday.

More than 1,200 local school children saw the copy and also met John Glynn, a direct descendant of one of the signers. Glynn is a relative of Richard Stockton, who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Glynn was on hand to tell children how important the piece of history is for our country.

"I think it's important that people see it and understand why it was written. It was written as a compromise, just like we have to do business today. I think it's an important document for people to study how this nation was founded," said Glynn.

Nashville was the final stop in the document’s trip around the country. Monday was the last day to see the document in Nashville.