CHICAGO (CBS) — People looking to be part of the conversation during the historic 2024 election attended debate nights around Chicago on Tuesday night.
At the Old Town Pour House, 1419 N. Wells St., the tables were full for the first and only time. debate between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald TrumpBut the crowd was subdued at the bipartisan event, in a way that wasn’t the case at watch parties that took a partisan side.
The union hall of IBEW Local 134, at 2722 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. in Bronzeville, was packed with Harris supporters Tuesday night.
“It’s exciting to see Kamala and the Democratic Party exude such a fresh spirit and voice,” said Kelwin Harris.
Meanwhile, a GOP watch party was underway at the Billy Goat Tavern, near the United Center at 1535 W. Madison St., with many fans of former President Trump in attendance. Some were dressed in fashion to match their loyalties, but they also kept an eye on the issues.
“The president makes some good points on immigration, I think, and also on the economy,” Jeff Feidler said, “so we’ll see how it goes.”
As the debate continued, there were cheers and jeers from both sides. But there was one clear winner: the companies that saw an increase in customers.
“I think it’s about 45% of the regular audience,” said George Argueta, general manager of the aforementioned Old Town Pour House.
People turned out for a historic debate on what would otherwise have been an ordinary Tuesday.
Normally the upstairs of Old Town Pour House is closed on Tuesdays, but on Tuesday night there were so many people that they opened the upstairs.
