The rules were the same as those at the actual debate -- no clapping, no talking -- nothing.

About 60 students who gathered in the West Halls Study Lounge, however, couldn't keep a straight face.

When Sen. John Kerry compared President George W. Bush's statement on fiscal responsibility to a Tony Soprano speech on law and order, they laughed, clapped and realized they were, for the most part, on the same side. From that point on, nobody held back.

The overall mood of the room, along with the content of the debate, seemed to have even affected Chad McCutcheon (senior-communications, arts and sciences), who came to the event with a Bush sign and pin.

"They are both throwing equal punches," he said. "This is the worst part about a debate of this kind. If I had to pick, though, I would say John Kerry is winning. He's answering more questions, but I still wouldn't vote for him."

The most charged point of the night in West Halls was when debate mediator Bob Schieffer asked, "Do you believe that homosexuality is a choice?"

Bush answered, "You know, Bob, I don't know. I just don't know," and the crowd seemed, suddenly, deeply offended.

Kerry answered that he did not believe homosexuality was a choice, but was answered with groans when he said, "We're all God's children, Bob," and disbelief when he referred to Vice President Dick Cheney's homosexual daughter.

At the HUB-Robeson Center, between 75 and 80 students gathered in a quieter atmosphere. There was a more even mix of political views there, and even some undecided voters.

Lindsay Bailor (freshman-art education) said she wasn't sure which candidate won the debate, but said Kerry was a better public speaker.

"I keep hearing positive about one candidate and negative about the other and then vice versa," she said. "There has been a lot of mixed opinion."

Bailor said she didn't know who to vote for and would need to do more research on her own to answer questions that weren't addressed, such as issues pertaining to college loans.

Robert Pantazes (freshman-chemical engineering) watched two of the three presidential debates and the vice-presidential debate. He said he is leaning towards Kerry, but has been undecided during most of the campaign. "The debates were helpful because I hadn't taken the time previously to educate myself about the candidates," he said.

Pantazes said Kerry won both debates he watched and, while he never liked Bush, he didn't know enough about Kerry to vote for him prior to watching the debates.

However, one person in the HUB was not watching the debate due to a big test today.

Nolan Meanor (senior-management information systems) said he did not think they would be very helpful because neither candidate would be a good president.

"I don't think either is far better than the other," he said. "Bush didn't do well, but I don't think Kerry will step it up either."

Meanor said he would probably vote for Bush because Kerry is indecisive and although Bush may have made wrong decisions, he stuck with them.