Friday, February 22, 2008

Barack-in' the Austin Music Hall


Last night, millions of Americans watched the CNN/Univison debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Some pundits have criticized it as tepid, but I thought Obama did great. He had specific suggestions on specific issues, but also evoked a vision of a new way of doing politics in America. It is the latter that has excited people in unprecedented numbers, and it is the former that blunts attacks on his supposed "inexperience."

The debate was held on the U.T. campus, but the Obama campaign had a fundraiser and debate-watching party at the Austin Music Hall. The debate was broadcast on two large television screens. After it ended, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel entertained, joined by guests like Joe Ely, Carolyn Wonderland and Tim Curry.

I spent some time talking with Eve Lindsey, the owner of the Victory Grill and an early Obama supporter. Then we took a picture (left). She's hosting an event for him this coming Friday night.

About a half hour after the event, the candidate himself arrived and gave a terrific, brief speech. Some pictures from the speech:



Afterwards, he worked the line, where I got to snap the close-up of him that leads this post and then shook his hand.

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