It is less than an hour before the start of the second presidential debate between President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. While most of the country is just getting ready for the main event, students at Hofstra University have been up since before sunrise with a bad case of debate fever.
Here’s what has been happening around the Hofstra campus over the last few hours:
After a 20-minute demonstration in front of the main entrance to the Hofstra campus, Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, and her running mate Cheri Honkala, were led away by police under threat of arrest. Stein and Honkala demanded access to the debate hall, but lacking credentials, they were barred from the campus. After arguing with campus representatives and county police to no avail, the two sat down in the road, obstructing traffic.
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry is no stranger to debates. The 2004 presidential candidate spoke with media earlier today at Hofstra calling describing Mitt Romney’s political tactics as “flim-flam artistry.”
As the sun sets over Hempstead, Hofstra student Julie Skrobak finds out that she will get to be in the audience during the debate.
Jimmy McMillan, of the Rent Is Too Damn High Party, visits Hofstra, bringing his unique brand of political cynicism. McMillan came to prominence during the 2010 New York gubernatorial debates. Before the Hofstra presidential debate, he talked about his lack of trust towards both candidates.
At 11 years old, Bridget Bernardo is the youngest journalist reporting on the debate from “Spin Ally.” The Rhode Island native won a contest giving her the opportunity to be a reporter for Time For Kids for the evening.