Excuse local fans of Showtimes American Candidate if were starting to get a little cocky. Everett native Lisa Witter cruised through another episode of the reality TV show, where 10 finalists set out to win $200,000 and address the nation in a fake run for president.
In past episodes, the candidates needed only to have people make a toll-free phone call to cast a vote a task thats far easier with easy access to cellphones. On Sundays fourth installment in Virginia, voters had to go to one of two ballot boxes, one on the University of Virginia campus and another at a nearby mall, to cast a vote.
During the town hall meeting, Witter gained a huge response when she rebuffed an argument against same-sex marriages, saying, I think that when we look back in 50 years from now, well be embarrassed about this debate in our country.
Witter again enlisted the help of Moveon.org, a progressive political action organization that sent out 35,000 e-mails in the area encouraging people to vote for Witter.
The progressive coalition between Witter, Keith Boykin, Bruce Friedrich and Malia Lazu is strained a little when Lazu starts stealing Witters votes as people go to cast their ballots, and Friedrichs volunteers butt in while Boykin talks to potential voters.
Witter finished the show as the front-runner and the group voted off former sheriff Richard Mack unanimously. At the risk of jinxing the deal, Ill tell you that Witter hasnt even had any close calls. Shes finished third or better in every vote so far.
The next episode takes the remaining six finalists to New York for a set of focus group meetings with political advisor Frank Luntz.
Witter calls the focus group the second or third most intense moment of my life. Tune in at 9 p.m. Sunday on Showtime to see who gets voted off the ballot.
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