The place to be for an insider's look at the GOP presidential debate Monday night was the Media Filing Center & Spin Zone at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

More than 500 reporters, photographers, TV crewmen -- all registered media -- set up shop on the second floor of the Marshall Student Center in the USF ballroom. Caffeine-starved, deadline-minded reporters from all over the country -- all over the globe, in fact -- crowded in together, popping open soda cans, working their stories.

Washington, D.C.-based Chris McGreal, correspondent for the British newspaper The Guardian, said watching the debate is like being in another world.

“Newt Gingrich told a forum of anti-abortion activists ahead of South Carolina’s primary election that as president, he would ignore Supreme Court rulings he regards as legally flawed. He implied that would also extend to the 1973 decision, Roe v. Wade, legalizing abortion. Why aren’t Americans taking notice?” McGreal asked.

Prior to the debate, there were plenty of gatherings to mark the political occasion, including a reception for the French ambassador to the U.S., Francois Delattre, who met with the organizing committee of the GOP convention.

• The National Journal’s Pre-Debate Media Reception was hosted by the National Association of Home Builders. Incoming 2012 NAHB Chairman Barry Ruttenberg said he thought the debate was not a comedy or a tragedy but an “adventure.”

• Talking to National Journal White House correspondent Major Garrett, former Florida Gov. Bob Martinez asked, “What is this ... like the 18th debate? I worked every single county to get elected. I noticed Ron Paul has signs all over town, but I don’t think all the signs in South Tampa will translate into votes for him.”
• Tarpon Springs resident John Josetti said he was there on campus rooting for Ron Paul. “He has a strong grassroots movement and nobody knows that he has more backing from the military than any other candidate.”
• There were protesters all over campus, from large groups like the Democratic Hispanic Caucus -- bused in for the occasion -- to groups of students toting Ron Paul signs.
• One woman, Tampa resident Debra Thomas, said she was so disgusted by candidate Newt Gingrich that she had to come out and make a statement. Thomas had "Callista Gingrich is a whore" written on her sign.
• Romney signs were few and far between and hard to spot.

With 45,000 people expected in Tampa during the Aug. 27-30 Republican National Convention, Monday night's debate, hosted by the Tampa Bay Times, National Journal and NBC News, is likely a short and sweet sample of what’s to come.

Cindy Cockburn is president of CCC Communications in Safety Harbor, Fla.