Valley watches and judges candidates on debate night

By Bob Stuart

Published: September 26, 2008

Across the Shenandoah Valley Friday night, Republicans and Democrats gathered in homes and headquarters to watch the first presidential debate of 2008.

Those watching included a first-time voter in 18-year-old Ashleigh Jackson, of Waynesboro. She attended the debate party at the Waynesboro Democratic Committee headquarters in Willow Oak Plaza.

“At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to vote,” said Jackson, who has since watched CNN daily and is reading a book on the Republican Party.

She hopes either Democratic nominee Barack Obama or Republican nominee John McCain can lead the country out of the economic doldrums.

At a Republican debate party outside Staunton, Jan Harman was hoping clear foreign policy differences between McCain and Obama would come out during the debate. She believes McCain’s strong leadership qualities are what the United States needs now.

“He is a true patriot, and that is what we need in a leader right now,” said Harman, whose husband and son have served in Iraq with the Army National Guard. Her son is still in Iraq. Harman said it is time to have a president who listens to the American people.

A newcomer to the Valley attended the Waynesboro Democratic Committee debate party.

Sara Christopherson and her husband recently moved to Waynesboro from Northern Virginia.

Christopherson was hoping for civility between the two candidates. She has not been happy with the negative television ads put out by the two campaigns.

“I want to see them focus on the issues,” she said.

Christopherson believes the country might be ready for a change from a Republican foreign policy.

Alex Davis, a vice chairman of grassroots development for the Staunton Republican Committee, said he thought McCain’s experience on foreign policy would give him the edge against Obama.

“He has very strong values and beliefs,” Davis said.

Davis said Friday’s debate was a crucial one. He said to expect the unexpected.

“There is nothing really scripted. You can plan and prepare, but as with most debates, it hardly ever goes the way you plan,” Davis said. “It’s a big test of how you can answer questions.”

Davis said Friday’s debate was also a test of leadership.