While local Democrats gathered in St. Robert to watch the Biden-Palin debate, State Rep. David Day and his 15-year-old daughter Savanna had an auditorium seat at Washington University in St. Louis.
Savanna Day, whose father calls her “a political junkie,” said she never expected to be able to attend a live national candidate debate.
“It was very cool,” she said. “I have seen debates before on TV, but never in person.”
All members of the audience had to promise in advance to be quiet and not to applaud or otherwise react to the candidates. However, Day said there’s no doubt she supported Palin.
“Of course she stands for everything I believe in, but she also stood up to Joe Biden when he tried to attack her,” Day said. “When Biden said she was wrong for supporting McCain, Palin would always say McCain did this, and why he did it.”
Key areas where Day liked Palin included her stance against gay marriage, against abortion, and for the troop surge in Iraq.
“I think the surge is working and we need to support our troops over there,” Day said.
Day said she liked seeing the candidates in person, even though she was far enough away that she couldn’t see the candidates faces or expressions very well.
“This is like a once-in-a-lifetime to see history in the making,” Day said. “Seeing Sarah Palin inspires me to be even more interested in politics.”
Day said she’s working with other students to form a Young Republicans chapter at Dixon High School, but so far hasn’t been able to find a sponsor. Other Dixon students are working to form a Young Democrats group, she said.