Inside MTV Studios, getting ready to 'Choose or Lose'

(Credit: Caroline McCarthy/CNET News.com)

NEW YORK--There are red, white, and blue lights flashing everywhere and I think I might be the oldest person in the room; I'm in the Uptown Studio at MTV's Times Square headquarters for the "Closing Arguments" event co-hosted by MTV, MySpace, and the Associated Press.

Presidential candidates Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Mike Huckabee, and Ron Paul will be videoconferencing in to answer questions from the studio audience, as well as questions submitted online.

Outside, a huge crowd has amassed outside MTV Studios, primarily student groups in support of Obama, though a number of Clinton supporters were also present as well as one guy with a Paul sign. (UPDATE: A number of passionate Ron Paul apologists have let me know that there were ultimately many more people who showed up to voice their support for the Texas congressman, which video of the event has confirmed to me after the fact. There was only one when I got there, and since we were inside, we couldn't see the crowds grow outside.)

(Credit: Caroline McCarthy/CNET News.com)

Inside the studio, MTV News' Gideon Yago, with a can of diet Red Bull in one hand, gave a pep talk on proper live TV conduct for the audience members. They're primarily local college students (the one sitting next to me is part of a pro-Obama group at NYU, and one said "I have a friend who works for MySpace"). "It's pretty much live, so what you say when you say it will be seen by lots and lots of people," Yago told them as he asked them to keep it courteous.

Also in the house are a few of the "Street Team '08" members who will be submitting live reports on Nokia N95 cell phones during the "Super Tuesday" primaries next week.

[McClarinJ]

One Ron Paul guy with a sign?

What time were you there? The outdoor videocam clearly showed a few dozen Ron Paul supporters during the forum. Please try to be less prejudicial in your reporting.

[marinepatriot]

MARINE CORPS SERGEANT ASKING FOR YOU TO HEAR MY OPINION

I HAVE SERVED MY COUNTRY FOR OVER (13) YEARS IN THE MILITARY. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO WATCH (1) VIDEO FOR ME. (THIS IS NOT A R. PAUL VIDEO)

THIS VIDEO HELPS MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN ROMNEY, MCCAIN AND HUCKABEE.

***I SERVED YOU AND MY COUNTRY, WILL YOU TAKE JUST 1 MINUTE TO HEAR ME?***

HERE IS MY QUICK VIDEO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnU3G-HCf9w

SEMPER FI
Dan Campbell
Sgt., USMC

[hectec]

one guy with a Ron Paul sign....

Wow Caroline McCarthy talk about being blind and biased, did Rupert Murdock, Fox, and or the MSM write this for you? Check the link to the Youtube video below. People reading the comment, this further promotes how the MSM try to make Ron Paul look bad and promote there agenda on telling you who you should be voting for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neps1utw2XI

what more proof check this link out.

http://news.myspace.com/politics/ronpaul/item/14267649

Wake up America! Ron Paul 08'

[esimmons205]

One guy w/ Ron Paul sign? BLATANT LIE

Anyone who saw the forum saw Ron Paul was the most dominant presence at the street level. Don't believe these mainstream news outlets anymore. They are trying their best to silence the truth.

[alexpppalace]

1 person supporting paul?

Nice fair journalism and or arithmatic.

[JARPF]

What a Joke!!!

Any one who watched the MTV Special could see a lot more than one Ron Paul Supporter. They also heard the roar of the crowd downstairs when Ron Paul spoke. Sounded pretty loud for one guy! It doesn't take a Ron Paul Supporter to see whats happening in the media! The Council of Foreign Relations owns the media. Get used to it!!