BY KATE KILPATRICK // With the economy and war being top concerns of the 2008 presidential race, Americans have demanded fewer answers from the candidates on issues like immigration, health care and gun control. So it came as a surprise on Wednesday night when special-needs children became a topic of discussion in the final debate between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain. Read the full story

McCain supporters found at Emeryville’s historic eatery.
BY KATE KILPATRICK // Gathered around the copper bar at Emeryville’s upscale Townhouse restaurant on Tuesday night were a handful of folks seldom found in these parts: McCain supporters.
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EMERYBAY FOOD MARKET

BY ALBA MORA// The cook and the young waiter at the Asian food restaurant looked bored. The clean wok pans indicated there wasn’t much work going on. On Tuesday night, the Emerybay Food Market was emptier than the previous two debates of the election season. In front of one TV screen, a handful of people were eating their dinner of noodles and tempura. When it came to thoughts about the presidential debate, the second of three, no one seemed to have any strong opinions, in fact, many seemed disappointed in what they were watching.

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Obama supporters watch the first presidential debate at LoBot gallery in West Oakland.

BY SHALEECE HAAS // At a West Oakland gallery Friday night, Octber 3, two projected images filled the white wall normally reserved for cutting-edge art. One was MSNBC’s broadcast of the first presidential debate of the 2008 election season. The other was a real-time multimedia commentary that played to the sentiments of the boisterous crowd of 20-something hipsters. Read the full story