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  • The vice presidential debate is viewed live in the media filing center on the Centre College campus Thursday in Danville, Ky. Photo by John Flavell/ For CNHI

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  • An anti-abortion protester yells from a tree in Centre College's Debate Festival Thursday during the vice presidential debate in Danville, Ky. Photo by John Flavell/ For CNHI

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  • Opposing political views compete for airtime Thursday as MSNBC reports live from the Centre College campus prior to the vice-presidential debate in Danville, Ky. Photo by John Flavell/ For CNHI

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October 12, 2012

Thousands watch vice presidential debate on KY college campus

Abortion protester climbs tree, shouts at crowd

By Carrie Stambaugh CNHI News Service

DANVILLE, Ky. — An estimated crowd of 5,000 to 6,000 spectators gathered on Centre College’s campus to watch the vice-presidential debate on Thursday night.

Despite temperatures dropping into the mid 40s, and the non-stop shouts of an abortion protestor who scaled a tree before the debate began, the crowd stayed engaged, attentively watching the lively debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Republican congressman Paul Ryan. 

Cheers erupted for both candidates at times during the debate. 

Carol Ross, 39, of Danville, said she enjoyed the debate even though she had made up her mind to vote for President Obama beforehand. 

"I thought it was really engaging" she said. 

A.J. Johnson, 50, a Gov. Mitt Romney supporter, agreed, but he thought Ryan lost to Biden in the debate. 

"Ryan did all right but Biden did better," he said. 

The debate didn't help undecided voter Lisa Combs, 36, make her decision. 

"I was listening for decisive leadership and a clear plan on how to move our country forward," she said. "But, honestly, I'm so distracted by the guy in the tree. I'm going to go home and watch it," she added referring to the pro-life protestor who climbed a tree and began shouting just before the debate began. 

As of late Thursday night, the man was still in the tree. 

University of Kentucky student Morgan Blair, 21, of Cincinnati, was also still undecided after the debate. "I was hoping to hear something in the middle. They are so strong, far too left and right," she said.

---

Details for this story provided by the Ashland, Ky., Daily Independent

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