COLUMBIA CITY – President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney will square off in the first Presidential Debate of the 2012 Election Season this week and at least two Rainier Valley establishments are planning to host watch parties.

First, the Royal Room (5000 Rainier Ave. S.) – in partnership with National Democratic Delegates Tandy Williams and Yalonda Gill Masundiré and the Rainier Valley Post – will start the evening at 5:30 pm with visits from candidates and representatives from campaigns up and down the ticket, an update and debrief from 2012 National Delegates and information on how to register voters and turn-out the vote for the General Election on Nov. 6.

Then, at 6 pm, Rookies (3820 S. Ferdinand St.) kicks off an evening sponsored by the 37th District Democrats, which also plans to host three more debate watching parties throughout the month of October, including vice presidential debates scheduled for Oct. 11 and Oct. 22, and a second presidential debate on Oct. 16 (location to be announced).

The 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC. Photo/Peter Masundire