Less than six hours before the first presidential debate between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry, students eagerly anticipated a night full of potential flip-flopping, made-up words and, inevitably, drinking games.
"It's definitely an excuse to drink," fourth-year College student Matt Oberhardt said.
Third-year College student Amanda Bensey said she believed that the combination of political and social motivations students had for watching the debate reflect the "work hard, party hard" attitude often attributed to University students.
"I can't think of any place [other than the University] where people are intellectual but like to combine that intellect with partying," Bensey said.
Bensey added that she believes there is a "genuine interest in politics" at the University.
Fourth-year College student Rob Schwartz said that while other schools may be hosting Thursday night drinking parties as well, they wouldn't be held in front of the television.
Pro-Bush Schwartz and pro-Kerry Oberhardt offered predictions of the candidates' respective performances.
"Kerry's going to take a stand because he's been told to, and then he's going to lose supporters because of it," Schwartz said.
Oberhardt glumly agreed with Schwartz that Bush would come out on top, but noted that the debates would be less about intellect and more about connecting to the people. This connection, he said, might depend on how successfully one candidate is able to twist the other candidate's words.
"I can't really see [Bush] making any mistakes," Oberhardt said. "Bush has a powerful spin team, and the Democrats don't."
Both Schwartz and Oberhardt said they did not want to be so intoxicated at the time that they would not be able to appreciate the debates.
"I want to be sober when I watch it, but depending on how afraid I am of what Bush says, I might be drinking," Oberhardt said.
Bensey pointed out that whatever candidate one supports, the significance of these first debates cannot be disputed.
"If you're interested in the future of this country, this is important," Bensey said.
Bensey compared the debates to "putting on a show" in that during the performance, one thing could go wrong that would "turn the tides of debate."
Bensey, a Kerry supporter, said she would be watching for one thing in particular.
"I'm kind of hoping that Bush will make up a word," she said.
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