Recall debate moderator Stan Statham commented on today’s festivities saying it was a historic day in American history, and that generations to come would read about it in textbooks.

What textbooks won’t capture is the electricity that ran through the Sacramento State campus that day.

Tents were set-up in the morning for news crews, many of which arrived the night before. Several students stopped to observe the pure spectacle of the event. Many were interested because a movie star was coming to campus; others were concerned about supporting their respective candidates.

Television news personnel, political activists and excited students moved through the University Union in hopes of either capturing the historic night for posterity or voicing their political opinion. Others avoided the chaos all together.

Although most students would not attend the actual debate, the campus was still buzzing with anticipation.

“The atmosphere is too exciting today. I have a midterm tomorrow, and there has not been a quiet place to study,” said Jess Whalen, a senior psychology major.

Even though the union eateries tried to prepare for the onslaught, they were surprisingly overwhelmed with business.

“Java City has been busier than ever,” said employee Jennifer Carranza. “We sold out of sandwiches. No one has taken a break yet. It has been non-stop chaos. I have never seen it this hectic.”

Hundreds of students sat before televisions throughout the union, at a government department forum in Mariposa Hall and wherever the battle was tuned in on campus.

In the end, students gathered around to watch the candidates exit the debate like a football team running back to the locker room.

And with every viewer tuning in across the nation, Sacramento State became ever more associated with one of the most historic dates in California history.

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