A Texas Tiff Over the Dems Debate

[Danieljay]

Source: Yahoo news/Time

So ever since it was announced that Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama would hold a presidential debate on the campus of the University of Texas on February 21, the city has been abuzz with anticipation and excitement. That infectious enthusiasm, however, quickly turned to disappointment after debate organizers announced the event would be closed to the public.

The cry for tickets went up within minutes of the announcement on February 11, but organizers initially responded that there would be no general admission seats and tickets would be reserved for the University of Texas, the Texas Democratic Party, the Obama and Clinton campaigns, and debate broadcasters CNN and Spanish language network Univision


The not-so-public debate prompted local media blogs to explode with angry and dismayed postings.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20080215/us_time/atexastiffoverthedemsdebate

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Great. Exclude the people from the debate. What the eff is wrong with these people?

[DJ13]

1. "What the eff is wrong with these people?"

I bet this was a condition of doing the debate from the Clinton campaign.

There have been a few past debates with some in the audience doing the "Obama! Obama! Obama!" chant at key moments when he had rebutted Hillary over an issue.

The Obama enthusiasm by the audience wouldnt serve Hillary well now that she's attemting to take some cheap shots at him out of desperation to win.

[flordehinojos]

2. maybe in texas they are afraid of a JFK repeat.

[Frances]

5. If either Obama or Hillary supporters

are going to interrupt the debate with chanting, then, of course, that should not be allowed.

The best thing for both candidates is to have a real debate between the two of them with no audience feedback. That's because the contest for real Dems is between our Dem nominee and McCain.

I don't want either candidate to look bad because his/her supporters act childishly.

[LifeIsSweet]

12. This makes sense

I totally agree. This isn't a wrestling match, it's a debate for president of the United States.

[MilesColtrane]

3. "Great. Exclude the people from the debate."

I'm afraid the people were excluded from the debate the day John Edwards dropped out of the race.

Really though, UT should turn over the campaign staffer's seats to the general public.

There's no reason to have campaign workers in the audience other than to provide a cheering section for their candidate.

[Jane Austin]

11. The LBJ School Auditorium is a pretty small venue.

There wouldn't be much room for "the public" in any case.

[Tarc]

4. This is supposed to be a debate, not a damn pep rally

The local fans from both camps can see just as much if they stay home and flip the tube on. I'd rather not see on-stage zings fllowed by a cheering section every time.

This is a good idea to host it in a small setting.

[jhrobbins]

7. EXACTLY

[Lone_Star_Dem]

6. They have 100 seats left that are not alloted already

Those are being raffled off to we the average voter.

I figure an ice cube has a better chance in Hades than I have of attending the debate. :cry:

[efhmc]

8. Austin is a TERRIBLE place to have a large public event.

There is no venue that works people or parking wise. Houston or Dallas with their capabilities would have been much better.

[Honeycombe8]

9. I think the university people are allowed...not the general public. Capacity issue,

is my guess. The debate was scheduled some time ago, when it was assumed that there wouldn't even be a debate, since the race should've been over by now.

There is not enough capacity, is my guess. Obama alone draws crowds of tens of thousands. Add the two of them, and millions from thruout the state would show up (including me!).

[ConcernedCanuk]

10. A debate of this importance should be held in a place with sufficient capacity.

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.
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I hope at least they have a decent media coverage present,

but this sort of arrangement just makes a farce out of "democracy"