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Feb 21, 2008 5:14 pm US/Central
Texas Debate Energizing Young Democrats
AUSTIN (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
It's debate night in Texas. Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton will face off this evening at the University of Texas in Austin.
Students turned out early to rally behind their candidate. Both Clinton and Obama have tried to energize students to vote for them.
"Obama '08, we are part of something great," Obama fans chanted.
"Acts not words, acts not words," Clinton supporters responded.
"People are talking about how Barack Obama has a monopoly on students' support," said David Mauro, a Clinton supporter. "You can see today, at least in Texas, that's just a myth."
Drum beats and whistles punctuated the demonstrations. Among the notable signs: "End the Clinton/Bush Dynasties;" "Yes she can;" "Stand for Change;" and, simply, "Hillary."
"As you know, it's a very close race," said UT student Brittney Bradley, an Obama supporter. "And whoever wins this, I think, is going to win it all."
Obama took a short cut to the hearts of many UT students by meeting with UT football coach Mack Brown. He then took a pass from UT quarterback Colt McCoy.
James Babyak said he supports Obama because of the "energy, the hope, the opportunity that people feel with Barack. It's real important to show that the American people are tired of the same old-same old. They want something new. "
Meanwhile, Clinton wore burnt orange as she stumped for votes in other parts of Texas.
"This is very important and personal to me. I'm a Hispanic female, so I want a female president," said Clinton supporter Jessica Garcia. "I really believe in her values and what she is going for."
With the Texas primaries less than two weeks away, tonight's meeting is seen as critical for Clinton. She's lost 10 primaries or caucuses to Obama since Super Tuesday, and is falling behind in the scramble for delegates.
"The value of the debate for the Hillary campaign is it demonstrates her depth of understanding of the issues and the depth of her grasp of the way government works," said Clinton supporter Jeff Hay.
But former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, an organizer for Obama, said Clinton has not been able to make that argument stick. He said this debate could curtail her.
"I think the stakes are a little higher for Senator Clinton because there is probably more of a sense of urgency that if she loses Texas is over," he said.
Both sides agree the University of Texas is a perfect setting for the Democratic candidates to stage their only Texas debate.
"I'm hoping to hear something to help me decide between the two," said UT student Princess Iroh, who is attending the debate.
The debate will get underway at 7 p.m. and will air exclusively on CNN.
Stay with CBS11TV.COM for highlights and analysis of the debate. CBS 11 News reporter Jack Fink will also be blogging live from the event.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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