Oct 13, 2008 7:23 pm US/Eastern
Campaign '08: Nation's Eyes Turn To Hofstra
Long Island College Set To Host Final McCain-Obama Debate Of Contentious 2008 Election Season
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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It's the hottest ticket in town. Thousands in the New York area are vying for a seat to the last presidential debate. But fewer than 200 may get a seat. And most of them will be the lucky students at Hofstra University, the host of this final face-off between Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama.
The eyes of the nation are now turning to America's first suburb -- Long Island, where Hofstra University in Hempstead is abuzz.
"I will be so excited, feel like I'm in another world and be in such awe," student Alicia Alford said.
Alford, who works for campus radio station WHRU, said she must pinch herself to believe she's about to be a part of one of the most riveting presidential campaigns in history. Tickets for the final debate will be given only to 100 or 200 of the lucky in a lottery. The ground rules: you must register to vote.
"[So far] 6,802 students have signed up for a shot at these seats," Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz said. "And they all knew going in that they had to be registered to vote and that was one of our goals."
The goals, posed by Rabinowitz, are to engage and involve young voters.
While students privately debated the assets of Sarah Palin vs. Joe Biden, many publicly protested both John McCain and Barack Obama platforms on nuclear power.
"My message to the senators: as a young person I'm concerned about a sustainable environment and livable future," graduate student Michael LaFemina said. "I hope you take that into consideration with your energy policy."
The publicity for Hofstra is enormous. Of the 3,000 credentialed international media only one will be student -- reporter Amanda Kenney, a communications major here.
"The night of the debate, I just picked up my credentials, and I'll be in spin alley with the rest of the reporters," Kenney said.
Wednesday classes are canceled. The Secret Service and Nassau County Police Department are closing roads and freezing parts of the campus.
Recognition comes with a price. Hofstra invested $3.5 million in construction and planning, including a required $1.5 million fee to the Commission on Presidential debates.
Wednesday night's debate, moderated by CBS's own Bob Schieffer, will feature the economy and other domestic issues.
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