Category: Students

To the surprise of political pundits across the country and the elation of the Democratic crowd gathered in Austin tonight, Senators Clinton and Obama have avoided direct political attacks at one another in the debate so far. In fact, both Senators have employed a civil, complimentary tone while drawing distinctions between each other’s policy positions.

Members of the media watch from the press filing room as Senators Clinton and Obama give their opening remarks .

Radio broadcast reporters watch from the press room as Barack Obama gives his opening remarks at the Democratic presidential debate in Austin, Texas.

As the debate begins, members of the press watch from the “spin room.” Following the debate, staff and supporters of the Clinton and Obama campaigns will give interviews in the spin room highlighting the successes of their respective candidate.

As with any political event worth its salt, various protesters have arrived at the debate in Austin.

Supporters of Barack Obama have gathered outside the debate venue to show their solidarity with the Senator from Illinois.

Individuals able to acquire tickets for tonight’s debate have lined up outside of the press zone and are waiting to enter the University of Texas recreational center where the debate will be held. According to an employee of the University of Texas only 1400 people will be allowed into the debate tonight.

Vicki Mery, a government major at the University of Texas, was on her way to a Hillary rally outside of the debate venue earlier today. A member of Students for Hillary, Mery admits that Obama has a more organized and vociferous presence on campus, but thinks this belies Hillary’s silent majority of support.

Appealing to the large Latino vote in Texas, the Obama campaign has placed banners touting his trademark phrase “Yes We Can” in Spanish around Austin. It is expected that control of the Latino vote will be a major deciding factor in the outcome of the March 4th Texas primary.

Security is tight at the debate in Austin. K-9 police patrol the metal barricades that cordon off the press zone. After waiting in line for nearly 30 minutes I was turned away at the initial checkpoint that leads to the checkpoint to get a press pass.