The Great Debate: Where to Watch the Final US Presidential Debate in Beijing

Americans go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov 4, but before they cast a ballot for their preferred candidate (and depending on which state they’re from, vote on a whole range of local issues and positions) they’ll be able to watch Obama and McCain take part in one last Presidential Debate. By the look of the headline in today’s New York Times, it appears that it's do or die for McCain as Obama seems to have taken a lead in the polls. What rhetorical moves will McCain pull out of the bag in a final attempt to win over voters? If you're in Beijing you'll have to be up early to find out as the debate will begin at 9am local time. Keep reading below for a run down (well there's only two) of where to watch a live feed of the debate here in Beijing.

The Rickshaw
A steady following has built up over the past two debates, so expect a hefty crowd to turn out for breakfast with a bit of political oratory on the side. Free.
9am. The Rickshaw (6500 4330)

The Bridge Cafe
Join a decent-sized crowd of American political junkies at this Wudaokou cafe.
9am. The Bridge Cafe (8286 7026)

A replay of the debate will also be screened at 5pm at The Bridge Cafe and Paddy O'Shea's.

The First Debate

The above information was sourced from an e-mail sent around by the Democrats Abroad (but we did call to confirm all the same). The e-mail also included details of a couple of voter registration stations that will be helping Beijing-based American voters enroll to vote over the weekend. We’ve copied the following information from the e-mail:

This weekend: voter registration stations in beijing
Saturday & sunday

Beijing, Haidian: The Bridge Cafe, Wudaokou. 1-5P. Voter Registration
Station, with optional fax and mail service for FPCAs (ballot requests)
and backup ballot help. [1, Bldg 12, Huaqingjiayuan, Chengfu Lu. West of
Wudaokou subway station. (010) 8286-7026]. For info contact Scott:
USVoteHaidian@gmail.com, 13811781037.

Beijing: The Bookworm Cafe, Sanlitun, 1-5P. Voter Registration
Station, with optional fax and mail service for FPCAs (ballot requests)
and backup ballot help. [4 Sanlitun Nan Jie, Sanlitun, Chaoyang
District, (010) 6586-9507]. For info contact Ada:
USVoteChina@gmail.com,13641003762.

According to the email:

Overseasvotefoundation.org and Fedex are making ballot returns via Fedex
FREE. For more information see the OVF website here:
https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/ExpressYourVote.htm

Be sure to STAPLE a copy of the Air Way Bill to your RETURN ENVELOPE
addressed to your local elections office (containing the ballot envelope
and the voter affirmation) and then place this INSIDE the Fedex Mailer.
This satisfies the legal requirement for a postmark!

Please note that only SOME Fedex locations in China are participating in
the program. http://www.fedex.com/cn_english/dropoff/

More information about voter registration deadlines can be found here.

Links and Sources
Commission of Presidential Debates: Debate Transcripts
Washington Post: image