Tuesday, October 07, 2008
AARP sponsors presidential debate watch party
7 p.m. tonight, Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg
Presidential Debate Watch Party and Conversation
- When: 7 tonight
- Where: Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg
- Cost: Free
- Contact: Jo Ann Underwood at 951-1541 or Ben Crawford at 961-5733
The first voters
Some teachers in Montgomery County’s schools are using the election as a lesson in civic engagement. Students at Harding Avenue Elementary in Blacksburg, for example, will have mock presidential elections Oct. 28.
“We hope they’ll take more of an interest in the actual election and one day become an educated voter,” said Christin O’Rourke, a fifth-grade teacher.
The faux election, during which students schoolwide will cast ballots for their favorite candidate, are designed to give students a real-world look at Standards of Learning in language arts and social studies, the teachers said.
The students have been researching the candidates and are expected to make campaign buttons and draw political cartoons as well.
— Anna L. Mallory
The American Association of Retired Persons' national "Divided We Fail" movement will make a stop in Blacksburg for tonight's presidential debate.
Blacksburg's AARP chapter and AARP Virginia are hosting a Presidential Debate Watch Party and Conversation at the Lyric Theatre. The watch party will include a panel discussion led by AARP President Warren Stewart and national staff election specialists Clare Hushbeck and Bob Kearney. The panel will discuss issues relevant to this year's election and make note of what to watch for in the debate.
After the panel discussion, guests will watch the debate on the Lyric's big screen, with free popcorn and soft drinks available.
"Divided We Fail" is a nonpartisan effort to address health care and long-term financial security, two issues that the AARP says are major domestic problems that need to be resolved without dwelling on partisan politics.
"Health care ought to be available and affordable to everyone," said Ben Crawford, a coordinator for the Blacksburg event.
He said most people agree that these issues are a problem, but nobody in Washington is doing anything about it.
"We want to hold them accountable," Crawford said.
"Divided We Fail" doesn't designate a specific way to address the issues or endorse a candidate better suited to do so.
Jo Ann Underwood, president of the Blacksburg AARP, said she chose the Lyric as a venue because of its big screen and proximity to Virginia Tech. She said she hopes Tech students and organizations will attend the event, which is open to the public.
Another purpose of the watch party is to circulate a petition in favor of efforts by "Divided We Fail" to have the two majors parties work together. AARP chapters all over the country are conducting similar events in support of the initiative.
