GOFFSTOWN — For a couple of hours Saturday, Saint Anselm College juniors Jake Wagner and John Pearson got to pretend to be U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, Republican gubernatorial candidate Ovide Lamontagne or even Democratic Congressional challenger Ann McLane Kuster and stare at the bright lights of the debate stage at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College.

The students were volunteering to stand in for the candidates, moderator and debate panel as crews from WMUR Channel 9 prepared the Institute for this week's Congressional and gubernatorial debates.

“It's very exciting,” Wagner said of his experience. “Anytime you have the honor to be at this podium, it's an honor.”

Several technicians from WMUR Channel 9, which along with the New Hampshire Union Leader is sponsoring the three debates this week, tested camera color balances, microphones and timing for a few hours Saturday using the volunteer students.

Chris Flaherty, a technician who works on special projects for WMUR, said the preparation actually began last Monday when he and other technicians built the stage, then installed lights and cables.

“If we have a problem now, we have a day and a half to correct it,” Flaherty said. “These debates are important. It's the last time the audience really gets to see these guys before the election.”

The Institute will host three debates this week. On Monday, Guinta, the Republican U.S. representative, will square off against Democratic former Rep. Carol Shea-Porter. U.S. Rep. Charles F. Bass, R-N.H., will debate Kuster on Tuesday and gubernatorial hopefuls Maggie Hassan, the Democratic former state Senate majority leader, and her Republican opponent, Manchester attorney Lamontagne, will debate on Thursday night.

While the preparations called for the students to stay in one place for an extended period, that didn't stop them from having fun or having their own debates, with sophomore Kevin Macourse ribbing Wagner, who said he is a confirmed Republican, by telling him there is “no doubt” that President Barack Obama will defeat Romney in the Nov. 6 election, resulting in a roll of Wagner's eyes.

Freshman Tara Buckley and sophomore Philip Zolotnitsky said they volunteered because they enjoyed seeing the behind-the-scenes of what becomes a polished product.

“It's just a good way to start a Saturday,” Zolotnitsky said. When he was reminded that the preparations began at 2 p.m., he grinned and, as befits a college student, repeated that the preparations were good way to start his Saturday.

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Tim Buckland may be reached at tbuckland@unionleader.com.