Category: Students

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.

Eight hours before the debate is set to begin students from the University of Texas are gathering to support their chosen candidate. Nathan Seitzman, a dual liberal arts-business major and member of Students for Barack Obama, feels confident that Austin will back Obama. Seitzman claimed, “It’s three to one for Obama on campus.

Media broadcast trucks line up outside of the University of Texas Recreational Center- the venue for tonight’s debate.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama square off in Austin, Texas tonight. The two contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination are participating in a debate at the University of Texas at 7pm CST.