NY1.com

  62º

You are not signed in  |  Sign in here  |  Help

You're viewing a lite version of NY1.com

Time Warner Cable customers: Sign in with your TWC ID for video access.

Get my TWC ID. | Get TWC service. | Read the FAQ.

10/04/2012 10:50 AM

Harlem Viewing Party Offers Full Plate Of Presidential Debate

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

Harlem's legendary Sylvia's restaurant hosted a debate viewing party Wednesday night where many Obama supporters hoped to solidify their choice come November. NY1's Arlene Borenstein filed the following report.

With eyes peeled and ears open about 30 people gathered at Sylvia's Also Lounge in Harlem to watch the first presidential debate of the 2012 campaign.

"What we're looking to do is just get to our family and friends together...to really revitalize everyone, see what our president has to say, to assist in any way to really go out and vote," said Sylvia's Vice President of Communications Tren'ness Woods-Black.

Folks enjoyed soul food from the landmark restaurant, but voters were also hungry to see President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney address the issues they care about such as the economy and healthcare.

"Obama seems more to care about the middle class and the under people trying to get up. And it benefits some rich people too, a lot of people don't wanna hear that but Mitt Romney not mentioning much about the middle class," said Obama Supporter Benjamin Murray.

"I looked at the issues of our health. I have a daughter who will need to meet those needs all of her life. And so the issue on health I think was a very good debate between the two candidates," said Obama Supporter Delois Blakely.

But the group, which consisted mainly of Obama supporters, was not all happy with the debate.

"Everytime Mitt Romney speaks, the moderator tries to cut him off and he's just continuing to talk and he's just doing his own thing. He's just out there just being wild, being reckless," said one Obama supporter.

"Governor Romney he is trying to dominate the debate. And he's not giving the president chance to really speak but I think president ultimately will come out on top," said Obama Supporter Maxine Mccrey.

One Romney supporter in the crowd says the governor shined because of his experience.

"I think we saw it tonight is that when you are a senator then you vote, your vote on legislation. When you're a governor you actually understand people because you make the tough decisions at the state level and Romney clearly showed that tonight," said Republican Strategist Brandon Brice.