The North Carolina Democratic Party canceled the debate between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton Monday, which was originally scheduled for April 27 at the RBC Center, due to “time constraints and logistical issues,” according to an e-mail from the party.

Tom Stafford, associate vice chancellor for student affairs, said the debate would have been a great opportunity for the University.

“I’m very disappointed,” he said. “This was going to be a very exciting event for N.C. State.”

Obama, the leading Democratic presidential candidate, had not confirmed whether or not he would appear at the debate, Stafford said, but since it was an unknown, the party would not have time to plan a large event in the short period it had.

Even without the debate, it helped “give N.C. State a lot of national visibility,” he said, and Student Body President Jay Dawkins said he agreed.

“On one hand, it’s disappointing that an event of that magnitude isn’t being held here, but it’s obvious that N.C. State is on the national political radar,” Dawkins, a junior in civil engineering, said.

Drew Wall, a junior in history and president of Students for Barack Obama, said the cancellation occurred because of a “disagreement on the day of the debate,” in which Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama wanted to hold the debate on different days.

But Wall said the debate was not necessary.

“I think everybody knows where most of these candidates stand,” he said.

With over 20 debates so far, Wall said there is not much left to discuss.

“With Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, there’s not much difference between them on the substantive issues,” he said. “What the debate does that really hinders the party is that it creates very superficial cuts inthe parties.”

Jason Lindsay, a senior in political science and field organizer for Clinton’s campaign, said he sees the cancellation differently.

“I feel like Obama’s taking a step back,” he said. “After the debate in Pennsylvania last week, he feels like he didn’t do well.”

And the number of debates has not affected the need for more, he said.

“Even though they have debated that much, there are still some questions about general electibility that have not been answered that would be beneficial for voters to hear,” he said.

Wall said both candidates have agreed to appear at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner May 2 in Raleigh.

And while there will not be a primary debate, Dawkins said the opportunity for one showed a possibility for more political activity in the future.

“There was a general feeling of excitement about it, and that’s not entirely gone because we’re still planning for the general election and I think this will provide a better opportunity for both parties to be better represented,” Dawkins said.