But that theater was filled too with plenty of Raleigh voters still searching for the right candidate.
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This decidedly Democratic crowd took in the contest with cocktails and an open mind. With months before its time to actually vote, most here were still candidate-shopping.
"I like them all actually," said Ryan Chapman about the field of 10 candidates on stage in Houston for the ABC News debate. "If I had to pick one, it would be Biden."
Former Vice-President Joe Biden's steady lead in this crowded contest is built on thinking that he's best-suited to defeat President Donald Trump in a head-to-head general election...
But debate watchers such as Tim Rusk are keeping their eyes on the lesser-known candidates in the field. Electability is not Rusk's deciding factor.
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"I'm not sold on Biden yet," Rusk said. "(Electability) has no influence over my decision whatsoever. I'm gonna pick the best candidate and let the chips fall where they may."
At this watch party, Rusk seemed to be in the minority.
"There are several candidates that I like. I'm not sure they're electable. So I am putting that in the mix," said Elizabeth Foster.
Erika Jones added, "I think (electability) is important because I do want us to take back the White House. But I think any of them should be able to beat (Trump). I don't know if they can."
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There were some scenes in this big-screen drama that some watchers gave a bad review. Some take umbrage with the intra-party fighting; preferring the Democrats save their fire for the president.
"I don't like it. I don't care for the infighting among each other," Chapman said. "It's OK to disagree with policies but the infighting is disappointing."
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll this week found that among Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters, 45 percent thought Biden had the best chance to beat Trump. But just 24 percent thought he'd be the best president for the country among the primary field.
Thursday's watch party was joint-sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the Capital City Lawyers Association and Advance Carolina.