A select group hears candidates spar on proposals
Amid the red, white and blue bunting, Republican signs festooned the walls of Chad Smith's South Richmond home last night as about 30 people stood in the den to watch the second presidential debate of the campaign on a flat-screen TV.
They cheered when Republican John McCain was introduced by moderator Tom Brokaw and booed -- good naturedly -- when Democrat Barack Obama was introduced.
But except for a few exclamations, they listened quietly and politely as the two candidates sparred at Nashville's Belmont University.
"Why don't you answer present?" one viewer exclaimed to the TV screen when Brokaw asked how Obama would vote on a certain subject. The McCain campaign has criticized Obama for answering "present" rather than taking a stand on a number of bills when he served in the Illinois state Senate.
Smith, who wore a name tag that identified himself as "Hanging Chad," had invited neighbor John Bryant, an Obama supporter.
"We have some good discussions," Bryant said of his neighbor. "If they get too heated, we change the subject."
Obama "has the best ideas and plans for America," Bryant said. "He is very specific in his ideas on the economy."
McCain "wants to lower taxes," Smith said. "I can spend it better than they can."
Republican guests included former Lt. Gov. John H. Hager; state Sen. John C. Watkins, R-Powhatan; Del. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond; and Judy Worthington, clerk of Chesterfield County Circuit Court.
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