THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

Jeff Sakwa

In this isolated pandemic period, former Michigan GOP co-chair Jeff Sakwa (along with Ronna McDaniel, now national GOP chair) had an anecdote for both everyone’s personal loneliness and political segregation. He held a debate watch party on Tuesday, September 29 – COVID-style. Sakwa rented out the Emagine Novi theater, which has transformed itself into a drive-in theater, and invited a bipartisan group of colleagues, politicos and friends. The entrance fee? Civility. “How does it get better than that?” Sakwa asked. “It’s COVID-free and it’s civil.” Everyone remained in their cars as they watched the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. Oakland University political science Professor Dave Dulio put it all in perspective for attendees. “I don’t agree with all my friends, and they don’t all agree with me – but we’re all Americans,” Sakwa said as to why he held the debate gathering.