They agreed that politics is no game, Sen. John Edwards' hairdo really doesn't matter and come Nov. 2, they'll be at the polls.

They also agreed that this debate was more exciting than the presidential debate last week.

But that's about it.

Some of the 50 students that gathered at the HUB-Robeson Center to watch the vice-presidential debate between Vice President Dick Cheney and Edwards last night scrambled to take notes in three-ring binders or laptops, but most sat quietly and only occasionally commented to neighbors.

Others, at times, shouted "nice" or "great" for the general good.

Although the gathering was, if nothing else, polite and serious, the opinions of the students reflected the general mood of the country.

Mike Schwebel (senior-landscape architecture), a Democrat from East Brunswick, NJ, sat in an armchair close to the screen.

He said he believes Edwards took control of the debate from the very beginning.

"It seems like Cheney is content and firm and almost set in his ways," Schwebel said. "I almost see him now as sort of stuck in his chair and attached to his ideas too, while Edwards is kind of moving around -- he seems more lively and willing to try new things."

There were not as many Republicans as Democrats in the HUB, but those there felt that Cheney knew more concrete facts, especially in the beginning of the debate.

"I think Dick Cheney is stepping it up. Edwards is putting up a good fight, but it's easy for him to point the finger," Vinnie Rome (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies), from Pittson, Pa. said.

Aaron Roggia (graduate-Spanish), another Republican, said, "Cheney has stronger points than Edwards does -- Edwards has resorted to a lot of rhetoric, I think. Cheney has a lot of good facts."

Other students of various political opinions felt turned off by the "politics" of the debate.

"Neither of the candidates answer questions. I'd like a candidate that actually answers questions and also some more focus on education," said Dennis Seaman (junior-crime, law and justice).

There were a few points in the debate that inspired a mass reaction.

When Edwards attacked Cheney's voting record, citing his vote against Meals on Wheels and a holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., the room erupted in a chorus of "Ooooh, mans" and whistles.

Elsewhere in State College, the College Democrats met at Champs Sports Bar to watch the debate.

Alex Smith (junior-political science), vice president of College Democrats, said, "I think Edwards did a great job. He had a great populous message and he really exposed a lot of things about the Bush administration, including Cheney, and how they have misled us on aspects of war on Iraq and the war on terror."

The atmosphere at Champs was louder and, of course, more one-sided than that at the HUB.

The College Democrats led rounds of applause when Edwards mentioned the $200 billion dollar war bill and when he said that, if elected, Kerry would speed military training and "be straight" with the American people.