ASU’s Tempe campus became awash in waves of varying shades of red, white and blue during the week leading up to the Oct. 13 Presidential debate. TV shows such as MSNBC’s “Hardball” and CNN’s “Crossfire” broadcast live from outside locations on the campus on the day of the debate, and John Kerry and George W. Bush supporters were ready with signs, stickers and raised voices. Gammage Auditorium transformed itself into a tightly monitored political fortress during debate week, with security, logistical, and broadcast set-up work going on behind the scenes nearly continuously. Only 1,000 seats were available to watch the debates live at Gammage, though thousands more Sun Devils watched a big-screen TV at Wells Fargo Arena or in countless homes, taverns and residence halls. Journalists filed stories from “Spin Alley,” a temporary building set up in Gammage’s parking lot.

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