Story URL: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/washington/news.aspx?id=101097
Story Retrieval Date: 5/23/2013 6:31:30 PM CST

Kathryn Lindsay Dobies/MNS
Obama supporters engrossed in final debate
Brian McCabe/MNS
Obama the clear choice at Capitol Hill bar.
WASHINGTON – In a room full of Obama supporters it was easy to spot the star of the night during the final presidential debate.
At the Pour House on Capitol Hill Wednesday night, there was an overwhelming sentiment that Sen. Barack Obama was the debate winner, perhaps because D.C. Lawyers for Obama was holding a watch party on the third floor of the bar.
Nearly 100 suit-clad 20 and 30-somethings crowded around five TVs throughout the room, beer glasses in hand, eyes glued to the sets.
With the centerpiece, a movie-sized screen, blaring CNN’s coverage, the room fell silent the moment Bob Schieffer introduced the two candidates at the debate’s start.
Throughout the hour-and-a-half contest, the room erupted with cheers each time Obama zinged Sen. John McCain. The roar was especially enthusiastic when Obama fired back at McCain, saying McCain’s attacks on Obama regarding onetime Weather Underground leader William Ayers reflected more on McCain’s campaign than it did on his own.
Although most of the Obama supporters were united in the feeling that their candidate had won the debate, many conceded that it was not Obama’s best showing.
“I didn’t think, to be honest, that it was his best debate performance,” Jeremy Beales, 23, said. “I thought McCain did well in the beginning … but overall I’d score it a little bit for Obama. But I thought he was better in the other two debates.”
While “Joe the Plumber” seemed to be the recurring theme of the night, many in the crowd groaned at McCain’s continued references to Joe.
“It’s out of context, no one was there – we don’t know how much Joe makes; we don’t even know if Joe’s real,” Manny Geraldo, 23, said. “It was Sen. McCain’s … efforts to try to reach the people that he knows that he’s losing in the current economy.”
Despite the Obama lean in the pub, 23-year-old Cameron Hardesty said she was still undecided following the debate.
“I feel like both McCain and Obama performed well in their respective avenues, I think Obama did a little better,” Hardesty said.
But when pressed about what would sway her final decision she evaded, instead saying that health care was the most important issue to her.
As for the future, Obama’s supporters at the Pour House were elated at the prospect of his presidency.
“I think he addresses the needs of Americans at this time better than any other candidate. I think he transcends not only race, but gender and he touches everybody…” Shamari Jenkins, 23, said. “I think he will do a lot for not only the image of Americans, but the morale.”