The tally board at Becky's Bar read
in favor of Obama at the of debate,
but Hillary took the lead at the end.
Photo by Bryn RileyObama Slammer or Hillary Hurricane?
By Bryn Riley
The tally board at the beginning of the debate read in Barack Obama’s favor at Becky’s Bar, a favorite hangout spot for CSU students near East 23 Street and Chester Avenue.
But, by the end of the debate, it was a different story.
Cheryl Rasile, a graduate of CSU’s John Marshall School of Law, was behind the bar serving “Obama Slammers” and “Hillary Hurricane’s.”
Rasile marked a tally mark for every drink sold. By the end of the night Clinton’s tally nearly doubled Obama’s. If this was any indication of the patrons’ vies, Hillary had definitely won over the Becky’s bar crowd.
“I think both of them had very good points tonight, but in the end, it was truly (Hillary) Clinton’s victory,” said Rasile.
The crowd included many CSU students and the regulars. Boos and cheers rang out as each candidate took friendly jabs at each other, along with disagreeing over the issues presented to them. In a debate dominated on healthcare issues and foreign policy, the general consensus was clear: Hillary was clearly the favorite. With each point the New York senator, and former first lady made; reactions varied from clapping to cheers.
Whether this was due to the large number of women in the bar or the pitchers of beer flowing, Obama received little love.
“When I walked into this place tonight, I was an Obama supporter,” said David McElhone, a CSU senior majoring in public relations. “But after I heard the entire debate, I was influenced by Clinton,” he said. Influence was a popular word thrown around by the patrons of the bar after viewing the debate. “She was more emotional, and actually looked as though she cared about the issues she was talking about, and never hesitated with her answers, that’s what really brought me on her side in the end,” said McElhone.
Anthony Segreti, a CSU senior majoring in advertising, said, “Even though I have to be here for my class, I really was interested in how this debate would play out. I hadn’t chosen a side, but I think Clinton appeared to be more charismatic throughout the debate,” he said.
From Hillary bringing up the recent skits on Saturday Night Live to stating why the country would be different if Al Gore had become president, the bar exploded in cheers and laughter after each quick-tongued response by the former first lady.
“Obama is basically sitting there agreeing and dodging the important questions,” said Segreti.
“Regardless of whose side anyone is on, it was great to see the people come out and support the issues,” Rasile said. “This is a great time to be Cleveland State students, and a great time to say you are from Cleveland, hopefully this is a sign of what is yet to come, no matter who wins.”
Maybe at the end of the night, it didn’t’ matter which candidate’s drink you ordered, it mattered what kind of taste they left in your mouth.Reach this Stater reporter at b.riley@csuohio.edu
