Feature
Debate On Campus
| USF News
NBC's Brian Williams moderated the debate that was broadcast live from USF's Theatre 1.
Photo by Aimee Blodgett | USF News
A viewing audience of 7.2 million people tuned in as the candidates took the stage at USF for the GOP presidential primary debate on Jan. 23.
A standing-room-only watch party for 800 was sponsored by USF student Government on the Martin Luther King Plaza.
Photo by Daylina Miller | USF News
Steps from the event, a watch tent meant for 800 students became standing-room-only. Hundreds more stood outside and around the giant white tent, hoping to catch a glimpse of the debate broadcast on a large screen inside. The watch tent party was sponsored by USF Student Government.
Meanwhile, in Theatre 1, a live audience including more than 350 business and community leaders, international dignitaries, analysts, friends and university administrators, as well as nearly 70 USF students, listened as the candidates discussed the issues for the 18th time this election season.
It was a classroom come to life.
USF hosted the nationally-televised debate in partnership with NBC News, the Tampa Bay Times, National Journal and the Florida Council of 100. NBC's Brian Williams moderated the event.
More than 430 members of the media filed reports from the Marshall Student Center Ballroom.
Photo by Aimee Blodgett | USF News
Behind the scenes, the media filing room in the Marshall Student Center Ballroom buzzed with journalists and political pundits. More than 430 reporters from around the world were credentialed for the debate. Chris Matthews, Andrea Mitchell, Chuck Todd and David Gregory all filed reports live from campus in the days leading up to and following the history-making event.
According to leading political analyst and USF Distinguished Professor of Political Science Susan MacManus, for Republicans, it's all about Florida. "In terms of our racial and ethnic mix, we mirror the country more than any other state."
And there's one other thing, she says.
"Historically, if a Republican can't win Florida, they can't win the White House in the general election."