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.

When McCain referred to himself as a maverick, a definition popped up beside his talking head: “A maverick is an unbranded range animal, especially a motherless calf. – Wikipedia.” The crowd erupted in cheers. As McCain talked about eliminating earmarks and pork-barrel spending on one screen, photographs of McCain advisors who are also corporate lobbyists appeared on the other.

The commentary originated from a Macintosh computer in the corner of the room under a sign that read, “On-site fact checking!!!” Avery Bloom, 25, a resident artist at LoBot Gallery, was at the controls.

Etosha Terryll, 25, sells cocktails to raise money for the Obama campaign.

“My main participation in this campaign is making sure I’m really well informed,” Bloom said. “I’m a total news junkie and I’m constantly checking the news all day long.”

Bloom is confident that Obama can win the election if his supporters—many of them young urbanites like Bloom—stay motivated. “Obama’s the right man for the job,” Bloom said. “He’s a politician and he’s a damn good one.”

Bloom is not alone in his enthusiasm for the change candidate.

“I’ve never been ignited by someone who was running for office before,” Sabrina Eastman, 29, said. “I’m hungry to know all about what’s going on. I read the news every day.”

Dressed in cut-off denim shorts, blue and black animal print tights and cowboy boots, Eastman delivered a baking sheet of vegetarian empanadas—called “Obamapanadas”—to the concession table at the back of the gallery where another volunteer sold them alongside large red cups of Lagunitas IPA and freshly-mixed whiskey gingers.

Eastman’s enthusiasm for Obama led her to make her first-ever political contribution this year. She donated $25 through the Obama website and also covered the cost of the empanadas for the debate party, which were being sold at $3 apiece to raise money for the campaign.

As she watched the debate, Eastman wrinkled her nose under her black thick-framed “emo” glasses. “Something about McCain is so creepy,” she said. “It’s like he should be wearing a black cloak and claw hands.”

More than 125 Obama supporters gathered at LoBot Gallery to watch the first presidential debate of the 2008 general election.

More than 125 people from throughout the East Bay had come to the gallery to watch the debate. They sat on mismatched chairs, benches and couches in the center of the exhibit space and responded audibly to the interchange between the candidates.

They showed their displeasure for McCain by hissing at his mention of nuclear power and booing when he proposed that tax credits would allow Americans to pay for their own health care. The topics that elicited the most vociferous support included Obama’s proposal for energy independence and his remark that it is time to seek an end to the war in Iraq. When McCain accused Obama of having “the most liberal voting record in the Senate,” the crowd went wild.

“I think Obama is owning McCain right now,” said Troy S., 35, as he watched the candidates. “McCain doesn’t have an answer to anything.” Troy took a swig of his beer. “If Obama doesn’t win, there needs to be a revolution,” Troy said, his eyes fixed on the screen. “Because I don’t know anybody who’s voting for McCain.”

The LoBot gallery will be hosting free debate-watching parties for each of the upcoming presidential debates, as well as for the vice-presidential debate next Thursday. For more information, visit www.lobotgallery.com.