Obama or McCain?

Universal health care or health care supplement?

Thin mint cookie or the carmel delight?

While the cookies may not be showing up anytime soon on a presidential ballot, the Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada (GSSN) joined together Saturday for a little healthy political debate.

Part of the "Go Girl! Go Vote!" program, put together by the GSSN and the American Association of University Women (AAUW), girls from anywhere between fourth and ninth grade registered to vote, held caucuses and even elected their new favorite cookie.

The entire process that took place at the NV Energy location on Neil Road was set up to simulate the actual political undertakings, educated the girls on the workings and the importance of politics and voting.

"Our whole purpose is to build future leaders of tomorrow and that's what we're trying to do here," said Paula Cady, camp director and program specialist for the GSSN. "And it's funny how passionate people are about their favorite (Girl Scout) cookie."

Due to the heated political season voters find themselves in right now, Cady said the Girl Scouts organization decided to start up this program to teach young girls the political process, but in a non-partisan way.

"Everybody has a favorite cookie," Cady said with a laugh. "We want them to take away a general idea of the election process and how it works. They need to feel comfortable with it so when they turn 18, they're not afraid to vote."

Split up into two parties with different cookie platforms, the girls worked together in two teams setting up mock caucuses and primaries, designing campaign material and even writing speeches.

"I love it and I love young folks," said Bernice Matthews, a Nevada State Senator and one of the guest speakers. "It's important to make your vote and your voice heard. And this (Go Girl! Go Vote! program) is a good training ground for that."

Matthews continued this thought, as she spoke to the girls urging them the importance of just one vote, especially considering women's relatively short history with the right to vote.

"Voting is the first duty of a democracy," Matthews said. "It's your vote, it's your life."

Parent volunteers applauded the program and what it means to the raising of their daughters.

"When you involve more people, it raises the bar and it makes everything better," said Justin Pecot, a graphic artist and troop leader. "This is something that I would like (my daughter) to get interested in."

Hannah Rose, Pecot's 9-year-old daughter, sat nearby preparing her campaign poster for none other than the carmel delight cookie for the Green Party.

"I actually already know who I'm going to vote for," Hannah said. "I'm voting for Obama!"

And although Hannah may already have made up her mind for Nov. 4, all 50-plus girls worked together for the afternoon campaigning for their favorite cookie.

And after a very democratic process among the girls, the carmel delight came out on top by 22 votes.

For more information about the Girl Scouts, visit the Web site at www.girlscouts.org.