Band Plays On

Posted Jan 24, 2008 by Jason Odra

Updated Jan 24, 2008 at 08:33 PM

News Channel 8 Photo by MICHAEL EGGER

It looks and sounds more like a pep rally than the tee-off to a Republican presidential debate at Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus.

The FAU marching band is playing old-time favorites behind MSNBC’s makeshift Hardball with Chris Mathews’ set. As Mathews interviews Florida Gov. Charlie Crist about the state’s role in presidential politics, the band breaks into action. Students cheering for their favorite candidates punctuate the lively scene.

Although the mood outside the debate hall is light and lively, campus security is tight. Boca Raton police are patrolling with canine units, and each entrance to the debate hall is outfitted with metal detectors.

Students are actively involved in playing host to the debate. Every time we walk through another door, a student is holding it open for us with a smile. One of the volunteers here tells me so many kids wanted to help out with the debate, there was actually a waiting list for volunteers.