Hofstra Students Enjoy Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity To See Debate
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The candidates didn't disappoint them.
Well before Tuesday's toe-to-toe debate that CBS News' Scott Pelley called the most rancorous ever, a political frenzy took over at the Hofstra University student center. Students stood in long lines for hours to get the chance to watch the debate between President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney on the big screen, CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan reported.
Some students enthusiastically chose sides, while others remained undecided.
As the seconds wound down to the debate, the lucky ones were ushered into the Mack Sports Complex debate site and rewarded with red, white and blue bottles, shirts and hats.
There was just enough time for them to snap pictures in the so-called photo election booth – perfect accompaniments as they got down to the business of listening.
There were cheers and even catcalls, but lots of intelligent thinking.
"I like that Mr. Romney just touched on keeping North America energy-independent from the rest of the world, because right now I feel like they have a stranglehold on our economy, and I can't afford to be filling up my gas tank at $5 a gallon," said Ashley Read, a student and Romney supporter.
"I really like that President Obama has my future in mind. When he was asked about what a college student should expect when they get out of college, he had a plan. He didn't just have an ambiguous idea. He gave me a real idea of what I'm going to be seeing when I graduate," added Melanie Rainone, a student and Obama supporter.
"I watched the debate for the show, but then I fact-check what's actually said after the debate, so I probably won't know until afterwards. I'm still undecided," said Joshua Clark, also a Hofstra student.
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