‘It’s like a reality show gone bad’: Edmontonians tune into Trump v. Clinton debate

The first U.S. presidential debate may have been in New York, but lots of eyes in Edmonton were tuned in.

FULL COVERAGE: U.S. presidential election 2016

Democrats Abroad, a group for Democrats living in Edmonton, gathered to watch Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump face off on Monday night.

READ MORE: Trump v. Clinton debate: Promises, blunders from the first presidential debate

“This campaign has been pretty, what’s the word, exciting. I think a lot of people have been paying attention to it,” organizer Hannah Brooks said.

Brooks is from Nashville and currently studying at the University of Alberta. She, along with the group, are fervent Clinton supporters.

“I think there’s a lot of pressure on Clinton, that’s for sure. I think she does really need to do a good job on this debate.”

Peter Andes, a Maryland native who is also studying at the University of Alberta, said the campaign has been “volatile.”

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He has already cast his vote and is eagerly waiting for Election Day.

“This is such an important election and obviously will shape a lot of policy, at least for the next four years and perhaps the next eight. Just because you leave your country doesn’t mean you aren’t greatly impacted by the events there,” Andes said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This is such an important election and obviously will shape a lot of policy, at least for the next four years and perhaps the next eight. Just because you leave your country doesn't mean you aren't greatly impacted by the events there," Andes said.

In Downtown Edmonton, about 40 people gathered at Parlour to watch the debate. The event was organized by Keill and Company and also served as a fundraiser for Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS).

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“It’s a good opportunity to watch the two candidates come head-to-head for the first time. It’s a good opportunity to get people together. It’s a historic moment in U.S. politics,” said organizer Catherine Keill.

Most of the attendees were Canadians, such as Collin Prince.

“It’s like a reality show gone bad almost. I think there’s a lot of that appeal to it. If you didn’t have the characters that are there, I don’t know if people would have an interest,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's like a reality show gone bad almost. I think there's a lot of that appeal to it. If you didn't have the characters that are there, I don't know if people would have an interest," he said.

Justin Archer, a communication strategist who has worked with the Liberal and Conservative parties in Canada, said the stakes are high with the first debate.

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“Probably no one can win tonight but maybe someone can lose tonight,” he said.

“For Trump, I don’t know that’s such a difficult assignment. He just needs to be a reasonable person. And for Clinton, it is more difficult because she’s held to a higher standard than he is for whatever reason.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "For Trump, I don't know that's such a difficult assignment. He just needs to be a reasonable person. And for Clinton, it is more difficult because she's held to a higher standard than he is for whatever reason."

Archer said, though the campaign has been underway for some time, many Americans are just tuning in now.

“Now with the voting a little over a month away, people are really trying to figure out what’s going on and who they’re going to support. It’s a really entertaining contest. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Now with the voting a little over a month away, people are really trying to figure out what's going on and who they're going to support. It's a really entertaining contest. It's unlike anything we've ever seen."