I’m not going to say I told you so because I think most of us assumed that John Edwards was waiting for just the right moment to throw his support behind the man he believes could name him second in command if he gets the nomination. In case you missed it, John Edwards officially endorsed Barack Obama this afternoon because, he says, Obama is willing to fight poverty.

On another note, Lou Dobbs made a couple of good points tonight. The democrats kept saying over and over they didn’t want a brokered convention and yet, that is exactly what is happening. They are allowing superdelegates to determine the candidate because neither Obama nor Hillary have the number of committed delegates needed to secure the nomination. Dobbs was saying the Democratic party is breaking some of its own rules while it strictly adhered to other rules that threw out the Florida and Michigan votes…states that could have taken this primary in a much different direction. What happens next is anybody’s guess but fine, I will say I told you so on this one.

It looks like with 10% of the precincts reporting, Clinton is winning Indiana’s primary so far…

Election Results

Clinton

58%

Obama

42%

While I’m on the money topic, I’ll give you the lowdown on D.A. race cash according to Montford’s and Lehmberg’s finance reports filed on March 31st.

You’ll notice some discrepencies between money in, money out and cash on hand. I have no good explanation for this (perhaps their own money?):

Mindy Montford:

Total Political Contributions: $194,007.72

Expenditures: $225,684.93

Loan: $25,000

Money  maintained: $7,530.55

***Again, my math isn’t off. This is right from the horse’s mouth.

Rosemary Lehmberg 

Contributions: $140,825.00

Expenditures: $90,612.26

Maintained: $86,692.03

***See disclaimer above

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!