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AP Photo Biden to be a no-show

It doesn't look like CNN's extra lectern will get its moment under the lights.

Vice President Joe Biden finally put to rest rumors that he'd scramble Air Force Two to make a last-minute appearance CNN's Democratic debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday. The network had prepared a sixth lectern in case the vice president declared his candidacy at the last minute and wanted to take part.

Biden will watch the debate from his residence at the Naval Observatory, a spokesperson for the vice president said Tuesday afternoon, following an afternoon meeting with President Barack Obama and Attorney General Loretta Lynch at the White House. He's also set to host a high school reunion at his home early in the evening.

A schedule update late Tuesday morning made it clear the timing just wouldn’t work out for a surprise appearance.

"Update: VP Biden will join @POTUS and @LorettaLynch in their Oval Office meeting at 2:45 PM," his Twitter account posted late Tuesday morning.

An appearance was always a long-shot, but CNN left the option open and even fantasized about a dramatic last minute appearance. In one segment (pilloried on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) CNN correspondent Jim Acosta described Biden making a dramatic McCarran International Airport landing and pulling up to the Wynn Hotel (where the debate is being staged) in a speeding motorcade or yellow Corvette wearing aviator sunglasses.

“That would be fascinating political television,” Acosta said.

There’s no sign that Biden’s high school reunion/debate watching session will be open press.

