GREENFIELD — Wynona Pyrtel came prepared for Tuesday’s debate.
The librarian, who just moved to Greenfield from Chicago, arrived at The People’s Pint on Monday night with a pen and notebook. She is an undecided voter, and she planned to fact-check all of the statements the candidates made during the debate before deciding.
Pyrtel was one in a crowd of more than 100 who packed into the restaurant to watch the debate, drink some beer and cheer or boo the candidates.
The event was co-hosted by the Pint and New England Public Radio, the local National Public Radio affiliate.
Unlike Pytrel, most others in the room had decided their vote. When Hillary Clinton, in an attempt to explain Donald Trumps economic policies, referred to Trump’s plan as “Trumped-up trickle-down economics” many in the room laughed with Clinton, and at other times cheered her answers, or booed Trump’s.
M.P. “Chevy” Chevrette was volunteering earlier in the day at Clinton area headquarters in Northampton and was wearing a “413 for Hillary” button, referencing those who support Clinton in the western Massachusetts area code.
He said that he came out to support Clinton, and that he couldn’t live with himself if she lost and he hadn’t done his part. He said he expected a strong performance from her.
“She’s slicing him into pieces, he’s on the defensive,” he said with a thumbs up after one of Clinton’s early attacks on Trump.
Tom Regan, another Clinton supporter, said he couldn’t get anyone to watch it at his house, and wanted to come out and watch it with other people.
“It’s less depressing than watching it alone, whether it goes well or not,” he said.
Watching it as a community was one of the central ideas of the event, according to New England Public Radio spokeswoman Vanessa Cerillo. She said they expected a good-sized crowd at the event, but they were very excited about the turnout. They plan on hosting watch parties for the future debates.
“I think people like to be around friends and neighbors for this kind of thing,” she said.
Contact Miranda Davis at mdavis@recorder.com
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