The Morning After
February 22, 2008 Uncategorized
I cannot believe I went to the debate last night in a four car SUV motorcade. As a political nerd, this event was better than any concert I’ve ever been to. Admittedly, any event is amazing if you start off with drinks at the Four Seasons, though.
My last time being this close to the action in a presidential election was when I worked for the GOP. I was a jaded and cynical staffer by age 22, babysitting the national press pool and coordinating the logistics of the press filing room. All these many, many years later I’m a less jaded 29 year old (shut up) and seeing it in an entirely different light.
I remember now why the “masses” get so excited and so involved in politics.
There’s a full “story” about my experience in the permalink.
We met at the Four Seasons and Secret Service were all over the place. Senator Clinton’s office was just off the lobby and I ran into Chelsea as she came in from an afternoon event. She looked beautiful. Seriously. I’m not kidding.
We left the Four Seasons with our group in a motorcade of four black SUVs with tinted windows. This city has been absolutely electric the last week in anticipation of this event. People on the street stopped and started waving. They clearly thought we were a candidate or some dignitary on the way to the debate. When we pulled into the circular drive in front of the debate hall, Senator Clinton supporters started going wild. At first I waved at them, but when it got louder I was kind of afraid they might rush the vehicle!
We stepped out of the SUV to a parade and full marching band welcoming us. Seriously…uhm, I’d like to get out of a car and have thousands of people cheering and marching band performing more often. That was unbelievable.
We were whisked past the line of waiting people and through security to our seats on the floor of the debate hall. I saw every Democrat elected official from Texas and was flattered that so many remember me and waved and said hello.
We got our rules before the event and the UT Marching Band played, “Deep In The Heart Of Texas” and the entire hall clapped and sang along…much to the amazement of our hosts from Atlanta. Just before the debate went live, the band played the UT Fight Song, “The Eyes Of Texas Are Upon You” and the crowd jumped to their feet and made the “Hook ‘Em Horns” hand sign. I’m not a UT alum, but, once again, I was nearly overwhelmed with emotion.
The Chairman of the TDP came out and told us that in early voting in Texas, the Democrats were setting records with turnout. He said, Democrats were outvoting Republicans 4 to 1 in early voting returns. Then, he said, “It’s a great time to be a Democrat in Texas” and the audience jumped to their feet again.
Then we settled in for 90 minutes of debate. I was undecided when I walked into the hall. For the first time, Senator Clinton and Senator Obama seemed different to me. Obama talks about change and hope and is very eloquent. Clinton talks about accomplishments and policy and is not flowery in her language.
The crowd was about 50/50. They booed Senator Clinton when she brought up the dufus Texas State Senator that couldn’t name any accomplishment of Obama’s. But, I think they did because that senator was sitting in the third row and it had to be humiliating for him to be called out like that. She was right, though. That senator is a moron.
The after parties lasted until 1 a.m. and there are rallies tonight in Austin, too. Streets are closed and both campaigns are still in Texas.
I want everyone outside of Texas to know…this excitement about this election goes beyond the little blue oasis that is Austin. People from Tyler to El Paso are charged up and ready to vote on March 4. We can’t wait to breathe a sigh of relief when President Bush leaves office and seeing the candidates in the state reassure us all that it’s not that far away.
So won the debate, a-hole?
I think I’m going to go against the conventional wisdom, as I often do, and say Senator Clinton won the debate. I am an undecided voter and as you can probably guess, I’ve never been a big fan of Clinton. Last night I noticed a fundamental difference between the two candidates and her answers were tough and policy oriented. She clearly has a lifetime of public service that Obama doesn’t.
That being said, Senator Obama is inspiring. He lights up a room. He hits the nerve of frustration with this administration and the strong desire for us to be proud of our country again directly on the head. I just don’t know how he plans to execute.
Comments (11)
Don’t let that little naggy feeling about Obama’s ability to execute on his promises go away. That gut instinct is right.
We don’t need a freshman superstar trying to steal the game — we need the veteran A-team senior.
(This is Texas — there must be a sports analogy here somewhere.)
I was at the TDP watch party….its CLEAR who is gonna win vs. who people want to win…..People want Hillary to win, People KNOW Obama is gonna win it all…..the two types of receptions both candidates received is clear who is going to win Texas….I saw 5 young 20 yr olds rush by me screaming, followed by an elderly lady holding her cane in the air….People come on, are you blind? Seriously, you all see this for Hillary. No! Seriously?
“veteran A-team senior” Excuse me?
Hillary has been a Senator for what, four more years than Obama? Big deal. He was a state legislator before that.
Here’s what it boils down to, do you want someone that has fresh new ideas that can take America in a new direction or do you want a continuation of the Bush/Clinton years bogged down in partisan bickering, lies, and log jams. The Clintons have never been about anything other than holding power, Bill Clinton could have done so many things while president and he squandered his time embroiled in chickenshit scandals and trying everything he could not to rock the boat to stay in power. Hillary is no different other than you throw in her paranoia, the likes we have seen since Nixon.
I will guarantee you one thing, if Hillary comes out the other end of this thing as the Dem nominee she will get her ass beat my McCain. Half her own party doesn’t like her.
I think the reason why Obama’s not hated yet is because he just showed up. Clinton has been a major player in a Democratic Party way before Mr. Hope even took office. Give it time.
You guys are building this guy up that if he doesn’t deliver he’ll fall pretty hard.
Hilry isn’t hated because she’s been around a long time, she’s hated because her soul is dog shit. She is an evil fucking person and people recognize her as such.
oh look! a new story (in part) that just came out on AP. Bye-bye Hillary
By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press Writer 37 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - The Democratic superdelegates are starting to follow the voters — straight to Barack Obama.
In just the past two weeks, more than two dozen of them have climbed aboard his presidential campaign, according to a survey by The Associated Press. At the same time, Hillary Rodham Clinton’s are beginning to jump ship, abandoning her for Obama or deciding they now are undecided.
The result: He’s narrowing her once-commanding lead among these “superdelegates,” the Democratic office holders and party officials who automatically attend the national convention and can vote for whomever they choose.
As Obama has reeled off 11 straight primary victories, some of the superdelegates are having second — or third — thoughts about their public commitments.
gah. i’m so jealous/happy you got to experience that. wow. awesome.
Thanks, Joe!
And to all the commenters above…how DARE you use this post as a pulpit to talk about the debate when clearly this post was about ME.
We live blogged the debate over at Toxic Culture and could not disagree more that Hillary won. The only issue on which she won was health care. The rest was a total crush. See our reaction here:
http://toxicculture.wordpress.com/2008/02/22/dont-cry-for-me-austin-texas/
If you loved W’s presidency - you’re gonna really love Obama’s. Nitwits!
To sum up: Hilry can’t beat McCain.
That is all.