ELECTION 2004

• Cheney, Edwards trade sharp barbs • Case Western U. cashes in on occasion • Cheney, Edwards spar over Iraq, truth-telling in their debate • Campus becomes nearly carnival • Excerpts from Tuesday's vice presidential debate LOCAL • Old warriors disagree, but they do so amiably • Stand-in Portman center of attention • School election offers glimpse for future voters • Election 2004 section

TRANSCRIPT

• Go online for the complete debate transcript

Students mingled by displays representing various causes while others tossed footballs on a soccer field next to the school's library.

Anti-war protesters, laid-off teachers and others worked to get their messages heard as the nation's focus turned to the only vice-presidential debate of this year's election, between Vice President Dick Cheney and Democrat John Edwards at Case Western Reserve University.

The university designated a grassy area outside a library a few blocks from the debate hall as a "Free Speech Area."

Some students made it clear which side of the political fence they were on.

A group of young Republicans, dressed in suits and wearing signs that read, "Edwards the Ambulance Chaser," jogged behind an emergency vehicle, a reference to his career as a trial attorney.

A Democratic supporter carried a large sign that read, "Dick Cheney, Bad Heart, Bad Conscience, Bad Choice."

Other students gathered near television cameras, waving signs and shouting support for their candidate.

As Bush-Cheney supporters shouted, "Four More Years," the Kerry-Edwards backers countered with "Four More Weeks."

"We have wars on our streets at home that need attention," Northeast Ohio Anti-War Coalition member Linda Park said. "Lack of jobs, poor schools, lack of health care and racism to name a few."

Security measures left several main roads heading toward campus closed, challenging commuters in the busy area. Some classes were canceled at Case, and parking was nearly impossible to find.

Several dozen students gathered in a ball field earlier in the day for a chance to win a ticket to watch the debate in person. Sixty tickets were awarded to students. The Democrat and Republican parties were to distribute the remaining 200 or so tickets.

Also earlier, more than 100 Case medical-school students gathered with homemade signs at a campus rally calling for changes to the nation's health-care system.

Second-year medical student Larry Latson Jr., 27, of Cleveland, said the students endorse no particular candidate but want both sides to address the problem of the uninsured.

"The United States is the richest nation in the world and we think it's unacceptable that millions of people lack insurance," Latson said.