Wisconsin. s Marquette
Law School poll showing a 50 over 50 dead heat in the race
for president in this critical battleground state, the match up
on the stage for candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump took on
extreme importance, certainly leaving some disappointed.
Special projects journalist Murv Seymour checked in on debate
watch parties for reaction. >> This shouldn't be a debate
with the wealthy. >> He had the largest tax cut in
American history. playing on the big
screen at the Barrymore Theater in Madison isn't the normal
movie or show. On this night, all eyes are centered on the
first presidential debate of the 2024 election between Democratic
President Joe Biden and former Republican President Donald
Trump. Billed as the most important debate of a lifetime,
this free watch party is hosted by the Devil's Advocate radio
show and the progressive magazine. Both groups say they
look to educate voters before election Day. At times, voter
reaction to this clash of the candidates sounded more like
debate watchers were watching a huge sporting event.
's not a lot of mystery about these two candidates, so I
think a lot of people come to this debate with preconceived
notions, and I think it's important. I think it's all
about Joe Biden proving he's up for the job.
>> Whether President Biden proved he's up for the job is
definitely part of post-debate conversations.
now that I'm going to get anything out of it
because I know how I'm voting, I don't know, maybe a feel for
what other people are thinking. Maybe I can get that out of it.
Maybe some hope. es to the east, a
lot more than bowling is going on at Boulevard Lanes bowling
alley. e anybody
that allowed our country to be destroyed here.
>> The Republican Party of Dane County sponsors its own debate
watch party. >> I think this is one of the
most important debates of all time. It's a president versus a
former president. So it's sort of like the heavyweight champion
against the former heavyweight champion. There's huge issues
with the border and with the economy and inflation, and
people want action and they want answers with the highest of all
stakes on the debate table. >> Linda Mishler says the debate
hasn't changed a thing about who she plans to vote for in
November. >> I knew President Trump would
do an excellent job, and he really outshone Biden. You know,
I was really, expecting to see exactly what I saw.
>> Thank you very much for coming all across the state.
>> And cities, suburbs and rural communities, Wisconsinites took
part in public and private debate watch parties like these,
with hopes of seeing something that helps propel their
candidate from the debate stage towards the lane all the way