Final Preparations For First Presidential Debate Underway At Hofstra University
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- With just six days to go before the first presidential debate of the season, final preparations are underway at Hofstra University on Long Island.
Large, black metal barricades create a security perimeter around the David Mack Arena and driving restrictions for Monday's debate between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump have been announced.
Hofstra got this first debate when Wright State University in Ohio pulled out.
It's Hofstra's third time hosting a presidential debate, but it could be the most watched in history, said Rosanna Perotti, chairwoman of the political science department.
"And what would be most important about it is whether or not each of them has a presidential, commanding, a civil presence," she told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond.
A university spokesman said 7,500 students have entered a lottery to be in the arena Monday night, but if the past is any indication, only a few hundred seats will be allotted, Diamond reported.
Meanwhile, the moderator of the first debate has chosen a trio of topics for the event: America's direction, prosperity and security.
The Commission on Presidential Debates said moderator Lester Holt will follow a format that calls for six 15-minute time segments. Each topic will get two segments, according to the commission.
The 90-minute debate will begin at 9 p.m. EDT.
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