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.
I just got home from the debate. First, let me say that I can't help it but a huge highlight was arriving in a four SUV motorcade and all of the people outside thinking we were the candidates. We were whisked through the line and to our seats on the floor. The first person that waved hello to me was Rep. Senfronia Thompson.
Let me give a breakdown of who I saw. First, I ran into Chelsea Clinton at the Four Seasons before the debate. At the debate I first saw Senfronia Thompson, then Rafael Anchia, George Lopez, Mark Strama, Lloyd Dogget, Major Appelwhite, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Harold Dutton, Donna Howard, Kirk Watson shook my hand and a bunch of other elected officials that I can't be bothered to remember.
I actually went to this debate as an undecided voter and really listened to the answers. From in side the debate hall, I have to admit, Senator Clinton impressed me. It may be the first time she ever really has. She was tough and policy focused in her answers and it was in stark contrast to Senator Obama that sure can talk good, but I didn't get a lot of policy information from him.
I haven't read any analysis yet and I don't know how it came across on television, but I would say the audience was 1/2 and 1/2 between them. Much like the latest polls show Texas.
It was very hard to not have my phone with me from 4 in the afternoon until midnight, but it was worth it. Boyd Richie said, "It's a great time to be a Democrat in Texas." I thought he was probably right for all the Dems. There was certainly electricity in the room.
A friend of mine is responsible for me getting to have such a great experience and if it weren't 1 a.m. I could be a lot more eloquent about the debate and the experience in general. I'll think on all of it and post my coherent thoughts later.
KXAN Austin News commissioned a statewide poll in preparation of the debates and the upcoming primary. Results show Clinton and Obama in a neck and neck race with 9% undecided. It really is coming down to the wire.
The poll is located here and KXAN Austin News will release the full results at noon today.
Brian Thompson is taking advantage of Dukes' weakness in the eyes of Democrats. There is an enthusiasm in the Democratic party for change and ideals and Dukes and her support of Craddick and mere incumbency are dragging her down.
Dukes has more money in the bank, I'm guessing, than Thompson but it's only Thompson we are seeing on air. On air and on the attack. Here's his latest ad.
Record Breaking Early Voting in Travis County.
Clinton/Obama both RSVP for TDP watch party. Rumor is Chelsea and Hillary will also go by Guero's at 10p.m.
Senator Edward Kennedy will stump for Obama in Texas all week. Yipes! I can't believe a Kennedy is coming to Texas. We haven't exactly been hospitable.
Things are crazy in newsrooms all over town. There has not been this kind of presidential politics focus in Texas for 32 years. It's nuts.
I got my information for my ticket to the debate. No camera, no phones allowed. You have to bee there by 6 and pass through security. If there are tickets available on craigslist they are fake.
Senator Watson posted this response that humiliation today on his website
CNN will converge on Austin today in preparation for the big debates. I need to go to the dry cleaners, get a manicure and call the housekeeper! Did you get all the trash out of the streets? Did somebody bus out all the homeless downtown?! Oh Lord, I hope we have ourselves all fixed up before they turn those cameras on. You hippies, put those bongs down..I do NOT want to see that on TV!
Charles Barkley is getting the business from the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission.
Said Barkley: "I think they -- they want to be judge and jury. Like, I'm for gay marriage. It's none of my business if gay people want to get married. I'm pro-choice. And I think these Christians -- first of all, they're supposed to be -- they're not supposed to judge other people. But they're the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country. And it bugs the hell out of me. They act like their Christians. And they're not forgiving at all...they should read the part about they're not supposed to judge other people. They forget that one when it doesn't fit what they want it to say."
I won't be voting early this year. No way. I want to witness the record voter turnout that is expected this year firsthand. I want to stand in a long line and feel the excitement as people get more and more eager the closer they get to the door. I want to get my "I voted" sticker and then walk around downtown so everybody can see it.
I am still the same political nerd I was when I was standing on a street corner with a Ronald Reagan sign as a wee child.
Fidel Castro announced his resignation. Who's taking his place? Will we finally See You in C-U-B-A? So many questions....ugh...I can't even pretend like I care this early in the morning. Castro out. Good. What's next? I'll have to put on my pants and have some coffee before I can even think about all that.
This song should totally be a hit. "I'm totally gay for the USA."
Bill Clinton stopped by Austin to open Hillary's HQ.
In 1991 America was in the Persian Gulf. We were there, ostensibly, for Kuwait. Remember that? I was young and naive I guess, but when President Bush said, "This aggression will not stand," it sent chills down my spine. I was so proud of America. I remember seeing cars pull off the side of the road and turn on their lights when the radio would play the national anthem.
I stumbled across the video of Whitney Houston singing the Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XXV from that year and remember how it became a chart-topping hit. I still think it is one of the most beautiful and moving renditions I've ever heard of our national anthem.
Then it struck me. Whitney Houston's descent into an abusive marriage and drug abuse is a metaphor for America. She became a punch line, much like our own country had. We pitied her and pray for her comeback...much like we do for America.
I want to see our country strong again, economically, militarily, on both domestic and foreign fronts. I want to be proud of how the greatest country in the world takes the center stage again and shakes off the abusive relationship and years of bad decisions and unstable behavior and lifts up her chin and belts out the most emotional and prideful "Oh Say Can You See," that the world has ever heard.
I have faith that we'll make it, Whitney? I'm not so confident about, but I'll keep hoping.
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