A Daily Caller News Foundation reporter watched the vice presidential debate at the newly-opened Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C. Tuesday to a get a unique perspective.
Every bar stool was occupied at the Trump International Hotel and people were eagerly waiting for the debate to get underway on four flat screen televisions broadcasting CNN. All the debate-watchers who spoke with TheDCNF, however, agreed to talk on the record only if they could do it anonymously.
The bar of the Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C. during the Vice-Presidential debate Oct. 4, 2016. Photo credit: The Daily Caller News Foundation/J.P. Carroll
As the debate began, TheDCNF spoke with one viewer who said he was “staying at the hotel,” which is why he was watching it there.
“I’m leaning towards Trump, because of the issues. I am concerned though because of his outbursts and behavioral faults,” the hotel guest told TheDCNF. “I don’t think Hillary Clinton is capable of leading this country. I hope tonight confirms my views and that Sunday’s debate is a civil, issue-focused discussion,” the debate attendee concluded.
As soon as the debate ended, the bottom two flat screens turned to Fox News for commentary and analysis.
CNN and Fox News on televisions at the bar of the Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C. during the Vice-Presidential debate Oct. 4, 2016. Photo credit: The Daily Caller News Foundation/J.P. Carroll
A hushed tone took over the bar for the first 30 minutes of the debate, but there were more conversations when Kaine began constantly interrupting Pence.
“Kaine obviously came out of the gate as an aggressive person, but more rabid than methodical. I feel the moderator cut off Pence more often,” another debate-watcher told TheDCNF after the debate. “I’m leaning towards Trump, but not for any reason related to this debate. The judiciary is one of the most important issues and [the Supreme Court] will affect two generations.”
“I work in security issues and I just can’t vote for a crook no matter what [FBI Director] James Comey says,” one person, who would vote for Trump because of Clinton’s email server troubles, said.
The lobby of the Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C. during the Vice-Presidential debate Oct. 4, 2016. Photo credit: The Daily Caller News Foundation/J.P. Carroll
The pro-Trump sentiment at the GOP nominee’s hotel was not surprising given that on two occasions, some debate-watchers erupted into applause. Debate viewers applauded Pence when he told Kaine, “Did you work on that one a long time?” and when the Indiana governor then said, “Senator, that was even beneath you and Hillary Clinton, and that’s pretty low.”
A couple that came into the hotel towards the end of the debate was decidedly pro-Trump.
“I think that there’s a new generation revolving around the election and I just think that strategically [Trump] he’s a good guy, he’d do well for the country,” the woman told TheDCNF. “I like Donald Trump because I think he’s like, really serious about getting drugs out of the community. He’s about getting more jobs for Americans,” the man told TheDCNF.
Couple at the bar of the Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C. during the Vice-Presidential debate Oct. 4, 2016. Photo credit: The Daily Caller News Foundation/J.P. Carroll
The man, an Atlantic City, N.J. native, went on to say, “I really like Trump, he seems like a good person, he’s always been a stand-up dude. I’m from Atlantic City, New Jersey, I remember he used to own all the casinos out there, you know, so he’s always definitely been somebody. This is his shot, he deserves it.”
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