Alright, took a little while to get my internet functioning at home, but here we are.

First 20 minutes- Claws came out immediately. Clinton laying down her plan on Universal Healthcare…essentially accusing Obama of being a Republican.

8:18-Did Clinton just reference SNL? She doesn’t like getting the first question all the time and feels she is being unfairly targeted while Obama sits all cush next to her.

8:24-Clinton put between a rock and a hard place. Tim Russert wants to know if she’ll get out of NAFTA in 6 months. She says yes, no, not really…depends on which state is listening.

8:27-What? What? Someone is asking Obama a semi-tough question on his slight apathy in the past regarding NAFTA? Was this approved by the producers?

8:30-His solutions to building the economy sound eerily similary to Clinton’s. Oh, wait, there was an extra comma in there between the green building projects and hiring Americans to rebuild the country.

8:33-Russert asks if she’s overzealous in her job building aspirations. She says “heck no. I would have been successful has Al Gore been president.”

8:34-I wonder what they are writing on those little pads of paper?

8:35-Will Obama be able to go up against McCain in foreign policy with his lack of experience? He says he knows what he is talking about. “We have to go up against those terrorists in Pakistan,” said Obama. Wait, now we’re going to war with Pakistan???

8:38-Sorry, fell into a coma for a second. She’s going on and on about her foreign policy experience. Ok, we got it.

8:40-Obama says he was against the war but is for bombing terrorists in Pakistan. “I’m not saying we should bomb Pakistan. But, if there is intelligence that there is terrorist activity and they refuse to take action, we should.” (not verbatim, sorry)

8:42-Russert getting a little fired up! He just acted out an angry Iraqi leader saying, if you are not going to stay and protect us then get out now! “Would you?”

8:43-”It is important for us not to be held hostage by the Iraqi government.” They’re holding us hostage?

8:44-If Al Qaeda takes over Iraq again, as president would you invade again? Clinton says, “You’re asking a lot of hypotheticals.”

8:48-Brian cuts Clinton off saying he has to get to one the limited commercial breaks “as the snow swirls outside in Ohio, we’re having a warm night inside at the debate.” (laughter)

8:52-He didn’t allow her to finish when they returned! Instead, Brian is showing Clinton mocking Obama by talking about the “celestial angels singing.”

8:55-Obama says she did a nice job. Then, he says if he was all talk wounded soldiers at Walter Reed would still be paying for their own food.

8:56-Clinton says “I was having a little fun. Its hard to get time for fun on the campaign trail.” Give me a break! Fun is NOT being in freezing Ohio, screaming at the top of your lungs about angels.

8:58-Obama is left-handed, very convenient for his place on the political spectrum.

9:01-”We need to mobilize the American people so they know what their government is doing. Its not romantic. Its what needs to be done.” - Barack Obama

9:03-Wow, Russert hitting hard. “Will you keep your promise about taking contributions?” Obama says I am not the nominee yet.

9:04-Clinton has loned her campaign 5 million dollars and she refuses to file her and her husband’s tax return. “Why won’t you release the return so the public knows who is bankrolling your campaign?”

9:06-”The public is financing my campaign.” He asks to file the return before March 4th. She’s too busy.

9:07-Will you release your agenda as First Lady since you claim all of your experience?

9:10-If Jewish people found out about Obama’s view on Farrakan “you’re Jewish support would dry up like a snowball in hell.”

9:10-Obama tells Tim he wants to restore the relationship between the African American community and the Jewish community (from civil rights era).

9:12-Clinton says, wait a minute-I represent New York! And, I turned down the support of the Independents who were anti-semitic, even if it could have cost me big time.

9:14-Brian is a little punchy tonight. Just pointed out the semi-dead audience finally clapped for Obama’s joke about denounce being the same as reject.

9:20-Obama says “why does everyone-dems, Independents, Repubs support me? Because they’re sick of the rest of y’all!”

9:22-Russert questions Clinton on foreign affairs. “What can you tell me about Putin’s successor?” She responds that he is handpicked a Putin puppet. She couldn’t pronounce his name. Its Medvedev-what’s so hard about that?

9:23-Unfair! Tim then asks Obama what he knows about the successor. He says Hillary pretty much summed it up. Now, he’s talking about Putin, not the successor (I’m taking it he doesn’t know anything about the guy).

9:24-Tim schools them both on the guy’s stats.

9:26-Clinton admits she would vote against the war if she could do it again, but then points out: “My experience and my unique qualifications on both sides of Pennsylvania Avenue, equip me with the resources to deal with these problems.”

9:28-Obama does not have anything he actually did wrong, but admits he would have taken action on the Schiavo vote, but didn’t actually do anything wrong.

9:29-Obama is now trying to get the last word in as “friends” like she did in Austin.

9:30-”I’m very pleased to run alongside Senator Cilnton.”

9:30-Brian’s not ready for the nicey nicey. He asks Obama what she needs to answer to the people to win the nomination. Obama says she is qualified but he is better.

9:31-He doesn’t have a question for her to answer. But, he says “listen, I’m still better because I can bring the peeps together.”

9:32-Now, she is praising him….and reminds us she told us last week it was an a honor to run alongside Obama.

9:34-She reminded us of her gender. He reminded us of his race. Thanks, guys-we weren’t quite sure by now what was what and who was who.

9:34-Boy these two megalomaniacs can’t even come up with a question for eachother because they only want to talk about themselves!

Ok, we’re outta here. Good debate everyone!

Our intrepid web leader Charlie Ray has called in his reflections on tonight’s debate, noting the high energy of the crowd and the general goodwill toward the candidates.

This crowd clearly was united in its opposition to Bush. But the audience also revealed the split we’ve seen in local polls: Those who are convinced the problem with Washington DC is “business as usual” were on their feet for Barack Obama’s comments. And those who supported Hillary Rodham Clinton keyed off her health care plan and her outrage over the nation’s economy. (Who could miss that comment about the surplus left by her husband that Bush blew through while he was in office?) Policy issues and leadership style were her strength.

(You can see the same split in our forum comments on our main page story.)

The CNN commentators talked about this debate being the “same ole same ole” business that they had heard 19 times in the past. I don’t know about Charlie, but I was struck by how often the two candidates returned to the Valley: veterans; poverty; language; the fence. I don’t know if this is the Dems courting Hispanics. I think it was refreshing to see the candidates acknowledge a part of the state often ignored by the media.

As for the flotsam and jetsam of the event, Charlie says the better seats were reserved for the elected officials, with the best seats reserved by seniority. The venue was packed. The crowd was young. The spirits were high. The crowd didn’t hesitate to jump to its feet when it heard an answer that it liked, and they found plenty to cheer. (Once more, it was Anyone Other Than Bush.)

As Democratic strategist Kelly Fero said, the two candidates are well polished at this point in the campaign. As far as manner and style and presentation, the pundits agreed both Obama and Clinton carried themselves well, even presidential.

And Charlie reports it was a bit of a rock star concert atmosphere. It had that air of a “this is a historic” occasion. After the debate, the two candidates shook hands and signed autographs. Elected officials headed to the Spin Room immediately.

As an aside…The crowd was united in its support of Sen. Kirk Watson, a bit of vindication for our local Senator and “the moment of silence heard ‘round the world.” But Clinton’s cheap shot on Watson’s MSNBC debacle drew hisses… and was balanced by HRC’s final comment, in which she insisted she was honored to stand alongside Obama and that the nation was well served by either candidate that might claim the Democratic nomination.

Current Delegate Count?

Obama       1319

Clinton       1250

Earlier, we talked about the fact teachers would be with former Pres. Bill Clinton tonight at a debate watch and rally in San Antonio.

We just got a call from Zeph Capo. Zeph is one of 50 Texas AFT members who traveled to San Antonio to watch the debate with Bill at Sunset Station. I say “Bill” because I’m sure everyone who made it out is on a first-name basis with him.

Zeph estimates the crowd at about 7,000. The AFT national president, and some of the higher muckety mucks were backstage with Clinton. Most will get about as close as a gate that’s about a dozen feet from the stage where Clinton is talking.

Clinton actually was talking when we were on the phone. Zeph says he’s hitting the theme of “Hillary is experienced” fairly hard. He’s urging everyone at the rally to turn out their friends and neighbors at the polls.

And what did Zeph think of the whole experience? Well, he taught middle school social studies before he joined the union’s staff.

“This is what you live for as a teacher,” Capo said. “This kind of exciting event is really a springboard for great discussions in the classroom.”

Post-debate, I asked Democratic strategist Kelly Fero some questions…

Final analysis?

I think this debate has been a toss-up, with a slight lean toward HRC. Her close just now was emotional and may have won her some points. In general, she was more energetic and dynamic, while he was more low-key and quiet. It was close, just like their poll numbers in Texas.

What about that Xerox for change line HRC used?

It was too contrived, especially in the context of criticizing her opponent for lifting language from others.I’ve helped more candidate than I care to count prepare for debates, and there is always a desire for one-liners that can stop the opponent in his tracks, like Lloyd Bentsen’s “You’re not JFK” line against Dan Quayle 20 years ago.  These lines are rarely effective, and the one tonight seemed to bomb rather dramatically.  In fact, she delivered it without much conviction, almost as if she knew it wouldn’t be well-received.

Did we break any new ground here?

After 19 debates, they have their patter down. 

Candy Crowley is saying Cuba was the most substantive new info out of this debate. It’s big with the Univision viewers but of less consequence to Austinites.

I have to say a number of us wanted to hear more on health care… It was big in talk with students on the UT campus and a defining issue for many Austinites. Some observers, though, considered the lengthy answers a dodge. It’s interesting that six months into this campaign, we care a lot less about the war in Iraq.

Lots of pundit comments on the “change by Xerox.” Didn’t go over well. David Gergen, in particular, is panning Hillary’s performance tonight.

Commentators are calling Clinton’s closing statement — the one that got a standing ovation — her most effective moment since she cried in New Hampshire. Was it a valedictory speech… or a gracious admission that she’s way behind?

8:31-Obama tells John he’s wrong. He’s been transparent about all of his earmarks (speaking of ears, Obama…)

8:34-Clinton is listing off what she wants to spend money on… it’s long.

8:35-Jorge asks Clinton if she believes it would be a shame if superdelegates choose a candidate other than who the public chooses. She says it will figure itself out..

8:37-Obama says heck yeah! I’m winning the popular vote!

8:39-Obama’s most testing time, apparently, has been living his entire life.

8:40-Clinton gets the crowd going reminding us, on the down low of course, of Monica Lewinsky.

8:41-But, even that doesn’t compare to our crappy lives, she reminds us. Twice.

8:42-Uhm… Maybe Clinton is getting some speech training from Huckabee. Her faith is driving her to do this.

I’m Mike Huckabee! Remember me? I’m running for president.

8:43-It’s getting sentimental. They shook hands, looked in eachother’s eyes and express their honor to be with each other. Awwwwwwwww!

(Remember the earlier lovefests?)

It’s time to start getting the spin. Off to the spin room! I’ll see you on the tube at 10!

Vince Leibowitz is indefatigable when it comes to blogging over at Capitol Annex. He’s live blogging the debate tonight on his site and Texas Kaos. I asked his opinion of who has the edge in this debate so far:

“I believe, right now, that Hillary Clinton is in the lead. Obama, perhaps by virtue of the order in which the questions are asked, appears to be parroting Clinton’s answers on too many occasions. I think Clinton scored major points on the plagarism issue, which I didn’t expect to see tonight. I was disappointed that the moderators wanted to cut off the debate on health care since both candidates admit they have differences here and this is something people want to hear about. Obama seems a bit uncomfortable in this debate. Right now, I’d say the debate is Clinton’s to lose.”

Derek Barre and Jordan Michalek of Westlake High School are in the Spin Room. I asked them for their observations of the evening:

“The Spin Room is a lot more quiet than I thought it would be. Everyone is either taking notes on their laptops or notepads, or editing pictures that they’ve taken. We didn’t get a chance to get into the spray, so we spent most of our time outside with all the candidate supporters interviewing people, and taking pictures out there. Although, we did run into some big names outside like George Lopez, Lloyd Doggett and Kirk Watson. It’s definitely been a great opportunity being able to spend the day here right in the middle of all the media and craziness surrounding the debate.”

I asked Jordan what a “spray” was….

“We were supposed to be allowed into the spray which is the group of photographers that are allowed to take pictures of the candidates before the debate starts. We weren’t allowed because the Secret Service changed their mind today on how many people they were going to allow in and so there wasn’t enough space for us on the floor. We met and spoke with a couple of local newscasters and yesterday at the walk through we met one of the CNN correspondents, but that’s about it so far.”

8:12-Campbell tries to shut them up about the one topic in which they differ slightly. Obama will have none of it. Healthcare continues.

8:14-Healthcare continues. Clinton accuses Obama of not wanting to insure everyone. Obama, again, will have none of it.

8:15-Jorge bringing out the bats too. “Are you suggesting Obama doesn’t have the experience to be commander in chief?”

8:17-In a nutshell: Hillary says yes.

8:18-Obama wants to keep U.S. as strongest military and take care of Texas families. Aw, shucks, thanks Barack!

8:20-Barack mentions AGAIN, that he didn’t vote for the war in Iraq. Thus, he is capable of being commander in chief.

8:21-Ok, from this angle..her outfit kind of looks like something out of Star Trek.

8:23-She wants to bring the troops home… let me guess, so does Obama.

8:24-He’s alluding to the troop surge working. Barack, are you trying to appeal to Texas Independents and Republicans??? Campbell Brown puts him on the spot “Do you think you made a good decision to oppose the war?”

8:27-Back to McCain wanting the troops there for 100 years. Hello? There has already been a 100 years war!

7:58-Obama gives himself props for his ideas…4 grand a year for students who agree to do community service. Where the heck was that money when I was paying for college?

7:59-Quote of the night “If your candidacy is going to be about words, then they should be your own words. When you lift entire phrases from other people’s speeches, then that’s not change you can believe in. Its change you can xerox!” –Hillary Clinton

CNN’s blog comments on the source of this comment.

It is getting good…John and Campbell, your producers will be proud.

8:03-Obama goes on to talk about healthcare after Clinton implied he was too scaredy-cat to talk about universal healthcare.

Obama’s proposal on universal health care.

Hillary’s Health Choices Plan.

Clinton’s failure in 1993, called socialized medicine.