McCain v. Obama book challenge!

 

Subject: McCain v. Obama book challenge
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pat Priest
706-353-8310
ppriest@charter.net


McCain v. Obama Book Challenge!

The Oconee Democrats are issuing a challenge for people in the region to
learn more about both Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama by
reading and discussing both men's autobiographies. Participants will
discuss McCain's "Worth the Fighting For" in September and Obama's "The
Audacity of Hope" in October at moderated sessions in Oconee and
Athens-Clarke County.

Both books are inspiring bestsellers. William Kristol of The Weekly
Standard characterized McCain's book as "a gripping story, and well
told, and one that serves as an accessible and lively introduction to
the last quarter century of American politics."

Publishers Weekly said of "The Audacity of Hope": "Obama writes
insightfully, with vivid firsthand observations, about politics and the
compromises forced on politicians by fund-raising, interest groups, the
media and legislative horse-trading."

The event organizer, Dr. Patricia Priest, a member of the Oconee County
Democrats, said, "We call this a challenge because everyone I've talked
to – depending on his or her party affiliation – is willing to buy one
of the books but not the other. We're asking people to make an
investment in learning about the other party's candidate. People call
for more civility in politics. This is the other part of the challenge
– to come together to talk about politics and disagree agreeably with
more knowledge of both men and their political perspectives."

The Clarke County discussions will be held at Ciné (234 Hancock Avenue)
in downtown Athens; dates are set for September 28th (for McCain's book)
and October 19th (for Obama's). Both events will begin at 7 PM.
Discussions will be moderated by Sasha Baker, a popular and engaging
social studies teacher at Clarke Middle School and a Teacher of
Excellence in the Clarke County Schools.

The Oconee discussions will be moderated by Dr. Sarah Bell, former chair
of the Oconee Republican Party and an adjunct professor of English at
Gainesville State College. Those discussions will take place at 6 PM at
Five Points Deli on Epps Bridge Parkway on September 18th (for McCain's
book) and October 16th (for Obama's). Participants may come early to
order dinner and chat beforehand.

High school and college students and other adults are invited to read
the books and come to share their views about the candidates, their
books, and their vision for responding to the challenges facing America.

The books are available at 25% discount at independent bookstore Books
Galore in Watkinsville, and the shop owner, Debbie Wagner, is offering
an additional $1 off if people buy both books. Wagner said, "I wish
informed discourse was happening more across the country, and I'm
pleased to help support it here."

For more information, contact Pat Priest (ppriest@charter.net).


The details for each county:
-----------------------------------------------------
In Oconee County at Five Points Deli on Epps Bridge Parkway
Moderated by Dr. Sarah Bell

6 PM Thursday, September 18
"Worth the Fighting For" by John McCain

6 PM Thursday, October 16
"The Audacity of Hope" by Barack Obama

-------------------------------------

In Athens-Clarke County at Ciné (234 Hancock Avenue)
Moderated by Sasha Baker

7 PM Sunday, September 28
"Worth the Fighting For" by John McCain

7 PM Sunday, October 19
"The Audacity of Hope" by Barack Obama