The Dems Yin-Yang Couple Debate in Austin
Published February 22, 2008
I parked on Dedman Street in Austin and walked four blocks toward the Recreation Center where the Democratic debate was to be held. Spontaneous rallies pro-Obama and pro-Clinton were being held side by side. I stopped to watch and take a few pictures. There was great excitement in the crowd, hopeful at getting a glimpse of their favorite candidates. Across the street exhilarated men were selling Obama paraphernalia. One button in particular caught my attention: Barack, Jack and Martin faces on the same button. We were told that the press would get a chance to go inside the hall where the debate was to be held and take photographs before the debate began--not so. I did post pics from the press filing room.
Heloise was not chosen to be a part of the photographic spray because her camera was too small. The photographer seated next to her in press #2 room was chosen. He had a huge camera and lens and quipped “size does matter.” On each chair CNN left two goodie bags. Wow. The debate began with a coin toss won by Barack who chose to talk after Hillary. Texas is a make or break state for Hillary. She must win this debate tonight, which she clearly did not. And she must win Texas big, which most predict she will not do. That said, I have covered the highlights with host Campbell Brown and CNN.
John King asked questions along with Ms. Brown. I saw him in person walking around before the debate. He’s short. It turns out that Hillary and Barack had also noted the shortness of their secret service detail. King posed the first question on the economy.
How would a president Obama be different from a president Clinton on the economy? On how they differ: He really did not answer the question directly but summarized by saying that he and Hillary agree on many of these things. He said that they may disagree on exactly how to get these things (such as moving ahead on environmental issues). She said that they also have much in agreement and said that she would more “vigorously” enforce importation laws that allow toys with lead paint in the country. Hillary said she would “freeze interest rates for five years.” And listed three things she would accomplish: 1) Create clean green jobs 2) invest in infrastructure and 3) end George Bush’s war on science. Applause on the last point.
Topic: Would you consider stopping raids on undocumented immigrants? Crack down on employers, secure the border; work with our neighbors to the South to create more jobs for their own people. Clinton restated proponents of the failed “amnesty” McCain-Kennedy bill. Barack: “Tone down the rhetoric on immigration reform.” He said that there has been an increase in hate crimes that comes from this immigration divide. Loud applause. He said that we should crack down on the loopholes that allow employers to take advantage of the legal status of immigrants. And that they should “go to the back of the line… It is important that we fix the legal immigration system.”
- The Dems Yin-Yang Couple Debate in Austin
- Published: February 22, 2008
- Type: News
- Section: Politics
- Filed Under: Politics: Elections and Candidates, Politics: Government, Politics: Local and Regional, Politics: U.S.
- Writer: Heloise
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Brand New CNN GOP and DEM polls: Summary Obama now has a 4 point lead over Clinton, in the past week. She was 4 points up last week:
FOR RELEASE: MONDAY, FEBRUARy 25 AT 4 PM
BASED ON 751 LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS -- SAMPLING ERROR: +/- 3.5% PTS.
5. Please tell me which of the following people you would be most likely to support for the Republican nomination for President -- Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Arizona Senator John McCain, or Texas Congressman Ron Paul? (RANDOM ORDER)
Feb. 22-24 Feb. 14-17
2008 2008
Arizona Senator John McCain 56% 55%
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee 31% 32%
Texas Congressman Ron Paul 9% 11%
No opinion 4% 2%
BASED ON 861 LIKELY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTERS -- SAMPLING ERROR: +/- 3.5% PTS.
6. Please tell me which of the following people you would be most likely to support for the Democratic nomination for President -- New York Senator Hillary Clinton or Illinois Senator Barack Obama? (RANDOM ORDER)
Feb. 22-24 Feb. 14-17
2008 2008
Il Senator Barack Obama: 50% 48%
New York Senator Hillary Clinton: 46% 50%
No opinion 4% 2%
BASED ON 861 LIKELY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTERS -- SAMPLING ERROR: +/- 3.5% PTS.
7. Now I'm going to mention a few issues and for each one, please tell me who you think would best handle that issue if they were elected President. Please feel free to name a candidate even if you may not be voting for that person. Which Democratic candidate do you think would do the best job handling: (RANDOM ORDER)
a. Health care
Feb. 22-24 Feb. 14-17
2008 2008
Clinton 53% 58%
Obama 45% 41%
Neither (vol.) 1% 1%
No opinion 1% *
b. The economy
Feb. 22-24 Feb. 14-17
2008 2008
Clinton 52% 52%
Obama 45% 46%
Neither (vol.) 2% 2%
No opinion 2% 1%
c. Illegal immigration
Feb. 22-24 Feb. 14-17
2008 2008
Obama 47% 46%
Clinton 46% 50%
Neither (vol.) 3% 3%
No opinion 3% 1%
d. The war in Iraq
Feb. 22-24 Feb. 14-17
2008 2008
Obama 50% 44%
Clinton 44% 52%
Neither (vol.) 4% 3%
No opinion 2% *
BASED ON 861 LIKELY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTERS -- SAMPLING ERROR: +/- 3.5% PTS.
8. As you may know, there was a debate between the Democratic presidential candidates on Thursday. Which of the following statements best describes you:
Feb. 22-24
2008
I watched all or most of the debate 34%
I did not watch the debate, but I paid close
attention to news stories about it after it occurred 42%
I did not watch the debate or pay attention to
news stories about it 24%
No opinion *
BASED ON: 1612 LIKELY PRIMARY VOTERS -- SAMPLING ERROR: +/- 2.5% PTS
751 LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS -- SAMPLING ERROR: +/- 3.5% PTS.
861 LIKELY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTERS -- SAMPLING ERROR: +/- 3.5% PTS.
9. Which of the following issues will be MOST important to you when you decide how to vote for president? (RANDOM ORDER)
February 22-24, 2008
All Republican Democratic
Likely Primary Primary
Voters Voters Voters
The economy 38% 31% 43%
Health care 22% 16% 26%
The war in Iraq 16% 10% 20%
Illegal immigration 12% 22% 6%
Terrorism 9% 17% 3%
Other (vol.) 2% 3% 2%
No opinion 1% 2% *
February 14-17, 2008
All Republican Democratic
Registered Primary Primary
Voters Voters Voters
The economy 36% 35% 38%
The war in Iraq 20% 17% 22%
Health care 17% 8% 23%
Illegal immigration 14% 19% 10%
Terrorism 11% 17% 7%
Other (vol.) 1% 1% 1%
No opinion 1% 2% *
BASED ON 2149 INTERVIEWS FOR ALL RESPONDENTS -- SAMPLING ERROR; +/- 2% PTS.
751 LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS -- SAMPLING ERROR: +/- 3.5% PTS.
861 LIKELY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTERS -- SAMPLING ERROR: +/- 3.5% PTS.
10. We'd like to get your overall opinion of some people in the news. As I read each name, please say if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of these people -- or if you have never heard of them. (RANDOM ORDER)
ALL TEXANS
Favor- Unfavor- Never No
able able Heard of Opinion
New York Senator Hillary Clinton
February 22-24, 2008 55% 40% * 4%
Arizona Senator John McCain
February 22-24, 2008 52% 32% 4% 11%
Illinois Senator Barack Obama
February 22-24, 2008 59% 31% 2% 8%
LIKELY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTERS
Favor- Unfavor- Never No
able able Heard of Opinion
New York Senator Hillary Clinton
February 22-24, 2008 80% 17% * 3%
Arizona Senator John McCain
February 22-24, 2008 45% 44% 2% 9%
Illinois Senator Barack Obama
February 22-24, 2008 80% 15% * 4%
LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS
Favor- Unfavor- Never No
able able Heard of Opinion
New York Senator Hillary Clinton
February 22-24, 2008 22% 76% 1% 2%
Arizona Senator John McCain
February 22-24, 2008 75% 19% * 5%
Illinois Senator Barack Obama
February 22-24, 2008 39% 54% 1% 6%
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(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/74170)
Full debate CNN transcript hot off the presses from CNN.
Largest debate audience ever!!!
Breaking News: Clinton cancels rally in Fort Worth, my home town due to officer killed in her motorcade. Bad omen for Clinton campaign.
Condolences to his family.
Heloise