Check back tomorrow for a full recount of the days events (breakfast at The Early Show, lunch behind the MSNBC set, and the debate viewing party from Edison Theatre) and our analysis of the debate itself. For now, enjoy these pictures taken throughout the day:

Considering that 2,800 members of the media will be descending on this campus in 72 hours, Monday was a fairly quiet day at Wash U. Work continued around the Athletic Complex, where the debate will be held, and we caught a glimpse of Secret Service members touring the campus with bomb-sniffing dogs in tow, but other than that it was just another day of school.

Today was the last day that students were able to access the actual debate facility and our brief tour revealed a venue almost unrecognizable from the Athletic Complex we’re used to seeing but still far from the auditorium we expect to see on Thursday night. Aside from the main gym where the debate will take place, the recreational gym has been completely transformed into the offices of several thousand reporters and, after the debate, the world capital of spin. The room is setup with hundreds of tables, phone lines, electrical outlets, and TVs.

Outside the AC are three large stages where reporters will be able to broadcast “from the scene.” Just so viewers don’t forget where the debate is being held, we’ve placed Washington University in St. Louis banners in front of the AC and then strategically around campus.

I was supposed to volunteer for MSNBC today (Chuck Todd, Andrea Mitchell, and Chris Matthews will be broadcasting live from campus all day Thursday), but it was rained out. The weather for the rest of the week looks nice though.

See you tomorrow!

It isn’t often as a college student that you get to see history happen in your own backyard, but with the (one and only) 2008 Vice Presidential Debate broadcasting from the Athletic Complex at Washington University in St. Louis, Mark and I are in the unique position to see just that. And if you think I’m exaggerating when I say backyard, scroll down and take a look at a picture we took from our residence hall of the debate venue.

The campus has been abuzz the past week with excitement. Three hundred students have been notified that they’ve (preliminarily) won a ticket to the debate, the Secret Service has combed through each of the nearby fraternity houses, security fences and portable cell phone towers have been installed, new flowers have been planted… Wash U is ready for its close-up!

From the assault of 3,000 members of the media to the arrival of the candidates themselves, we know that we’re in a unique position to provide a behind the scenes perspective on what promises to be one of the most historically significant events of this campaign. Over the next several days this blog will feature stories, pictures, and insights on Thursday’s debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. We want this to be as interactive as possible, so if you have any questions, post a comment or send us an email.

In exactly four days all eyes will descend on this campus; until then, we’ll do our best to keep you up-to-date on what’s happening when no one’s looking. Click here to continue reading…