Monday Night Football and a beer? How about a beer and a debate instead

No Monday Night Football on this Monday in Morristown. Photo by Berit Ollestad
No Monday Night Football on this Monday in Morristown. Photo by Berit Ollestad
0
Area Democrats watch the first Clinton-Trump debate at Sona 13. Photo by Berit Ollestad
Area Democrats watch the first Clinton-Trump debate at Sona 13. Photo by Berit Ollestad

By Berit Ollestad

You could have heard an absentee ballot drop at Sona 13 in Morristown during Monday’s presidential debate.

“I told people to come in rowdy and make some noise, and it’s absolutely quiet in here,” said Cathy Wilson, local chair of the Morris Township Democratic Committee.

Aside from the occasional chuckle or sigh, the audience of Dems stared in rapt attention at the first face-off between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

The Republican debate-watching party a couple of doors down at the Iron Bar, on the other hand, sounded more like a football crowd.

No Monday Night Football on this Monday in Morristown. Photo by Berit Ollestad
No Monday Night Football on this Monday in Morristown. Photo by Berit Ollestad

At least, that was the first impression.  Reporters were turned away from the private bash.

In the Democratic camp, Clinton yard signs were being sold for a small donation. Participants expressed hopes  that the presidential race would ramp up enthusiasm for local Democrats across Republican Morris County.

“It’s important to work for your local candidate because they’re going to have more of an influence on your lives. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that are turned off by this election. There were some funny moments tonight. But overall I found it pathetic” said John Strelkoff, chairman of the Chatham Township Democratic Committee.

Pearl Ontalan of Morris Plains came to the event with her husband Alberto.

“She has already proven herself to work for families, childcare and economic jobs,” she said of Clinton.

Wil Nynas, newly arrived from Minneapolis, found out about the Democrats’ debate party at Sunday’s Morristown Festival on the Green.  He found many of Trump’s opinions “ill formed.

“He is not the right choice for president. That was my takeaway from tonight’s debate,” said Nynas.

Area Republicans gather at the Iron Bar to watch first Trump-Clinton debate. Photo by Berit Ollestad
Area Republicans gather at the Iron Bar to watch first Trump-Clinton debate. Photo by Berit Ollestad

LEAVE A REPLY