WENATCHEE — Although Democrats and Republicans are divided on how to solve current issues affecting Americans today, the two groups had more in common than they might have thought Wednesday evening during the third and final presidential debate.

Twenty-one people gathered at the Democrats of Chelan and Douglas Counties headquarters at 5 S. Wenatchee Ave. That number doesn’t include 1-year-old Lucia Stemm-Caldron of Leavenworth or Ricky, a black terrier.

Twenty-one people also gathered at the Republicans of Chelan County headquarters at 33 N. Mission St. That number does include five home-schooled students.

Both groups munched on pizza and salad while watching the televised debate; both headquarters included huge American flags tacked on the walls and party-affiliated figurines and signs; and everyone cheered when they thought their candidate said something clever and heckled the opposing candidate when they disagreed.

When moderator Bob Schieffer of CBS News brought up the fact that both candidates’ plans for fixing the current economic crisis would contribute another $200 billion to the nation’s budget deficit, the Democrats taunted, “Answer the question” when John McCain started talking about home ownership.

The Democrats laughed loudly when McCain said, “I always repudiated any negative comments that came from my campaign.”

The Republicans also found much to giggle about during the debate, such as when Barack Obama said “I believe in free trade” and when McCain slipped up and accidentally called Obama “Senator Government.”

Republican Graden Neal of East Wenatchee put his head in his hands and shook his head often when Obama answered questions.

When Obama outlined his health-care plan, 17-year-old Isaac Aguigui of Cashmere said, “That makes absolutely no sense.”

Both candidates agreed reforms are needed and what’s not working needs to be cut. Also, in their closing statements, both alluded to the difficult and challenging times for America.

Republican Beth Hayes, 59, of Wenatchee, said after the debate that Wenatchee Valley Republicans and Democrats really aren’t that different from each other.

“We all want the same things: better health care and education systems, an end to the financial crisis,” she said. “We just don’t agree on how it needs to be done.”

Hayes said, “Once this election’s done, we’re all going to be friends again.”

Michele Mihalovich: 665-1188

mihalovich@wenworld.com