The Cameo Art House Theatre in Fayetteville is hosting a Harris-Trump debate watch party
The presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump may be the most important of our lifetimes.
But don’t they say that every four years?
Either way, the scheduled Tuesday, Sept. 10, debate between Vice President Harris, the Democratic nominee, and former President Trump, the Republican nominee, is headed toward movie blockbuster status — at least in downtown Fayetteville.
The Cameo, Fayetteville's downtown movie theater, is for sale, owners announce on Facebook
The Cameo Art House Theatre at 225 Hay St. plans to show the debate on the big screen in an event that starts at 9 p.m. Tuesday. Admission is free and seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The concession stand will be in full effect and includes alcohol along with standard movie fare of popcorn and candies.
“We hope it will be a stimulating and learning opportunity,” says Nasim Kuenzel, co-owner of the local theater. “We encourage open-mindedness while socializing and being entertained.”
Harris and Trump are scheduled to debate on ABC News starting at 9 p.m. from The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, with David Muir and Linsey Davis as moderators. It is so far the only debate both candidates have agreed to do.
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The matchup comes at a time when Trump and Harris are running close in national polls and when North Carolina is considered one of the “Magnificent Seven,” crucial swing states. Trump has a one-point advantage in North Carolina in an average of NC polls.
The Cameo typically shows art house and independent films, but next week will not be its first foray into screening presidential debates. The theater screened presidential debates and vice presidential debates in 2008 and 2012, when Democratic candidate Barack Obama ran against the late Sen. John McCain and then former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
“This one is even more historic than 2008 and 2012,” Kuenzel said, “and could be the only debate between the two candidates.”
Other presidential debate watch parties
• The Republican Candidates Resource Center at 304 Owen Drive will host a watch party that begins at 7 p.m. Check here (facebook.com/events/1266726430985823) for information.
More: North Carolina now part of 'Magnificent Seven' swing states in the presidential race
• NC Victory 2024 will host a debate watch party based in Fayetteville; there will be “food & refreshments” with more details available at signup. It is scheduled for 8 p.m. at a private location and is one of multiple watch parties hosted by Democratic Party organizations in various cities and towns. There are similar events scheduled for Raeford, Southern Pines, Pembroke, Whiteville and other locations. Visit here events.democrats.org/?event_type=15) for a list.
Presidential debates can matter, as 2024 proved already
Whatever happens Tuesday, the 2024 election cycle is a reminder that debates can still matter.
Tuesday's debate will be Harris' first of the election cycle, although as the vice presidential nominee in 2020, she debated then-Vice President Mike Pence.
Trump will be taking part in his seventh presidential debate. He debated President Joe Biden on June 27 in Atlanta, when Biden was running for reelection. Biden's often confused and halting performance super-charged already lingering questions about his age and fitness to serve another four years, and he eventually heeded calls to exit the race a month later, endorsing Harris as his replacement.
The Harris-Trump debate could wind up being the most-watched debate in history, according to news site Forbes, in part because it may be the only one between the two rivals and because of "the opportunity to stream the debate on a number of platforms and devices."
Forbes notes that "three of the four most watched debates involved Donald Trump" and "the lone 2020 vice-presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence is the second most watched debate to date."
Opinion Editor Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville theater to show Harris, Trump debate. Why?
