We met at the Four Seasons and Secret Service were all over the place. Senator Clinton's office was just off the lobby and I ran into Chelsea as she came in from an afternoon event. She looked beautiful. Seriously. I'm not kidding.

We left the Four Seasons with our group in a motorcade of four black SUVs with tinted windows. This city has been absolutely electric the last week in anticipation of this event. People on the street stopped and started waving. They clearly thought we were a candidate or some dignitary on the way to the debate. When we pulled into the circular drive in front of the debate hall, Senator Clinton supporters started going wild. At first I waved at them, but when it got louder I was kind of afraid they might rush the vehicle!

We stepped out of the SUV to a parade and full marching band welcoming us. Seriously...uhm, I'd like to get out of a car and have thousands of people cheering and marching band performing more often. That was unbelievable.

We were whisked past the line of waiting people and through security to our seats on the floor of the debate hall. I saw every Democrat elected official from Texas and was flattered that so many remember me and waved and said hello.

We got our rules before the event and the UT Marching Band played, "Deep In The Heart Of Texas" and the entire hall clapped and sang along...much to the amazement of our hosts from Atlanta. Just before the debate went live, the band played the UT Fight Song, "The Eyes Of Texas Are Upon You" and the crowd jumped to their feet and made the "Hook 'Em Horns" hand sign. I'm not a UT alum, but, once again, I was nearly overwhelmed with emotion.

The Chairman of the TDP came out and told us that in early voting in Texas, the Democrats were setting records with turnout. He said, Democrats were outvoting Republicans 4 to 1 in early voting returns. Then, he said, "It's a great time to be a Democrat in Texas" and the audience jumped to their feet again.

Then we settled in for 90 minutes of debate. I was undecided when I walked into the hall. For the first time, Senator Clinton and Senator Obama seemed different to me. Obama talks about change and hope and is very eloquent. Clinton talks about accomplishments and policy and is not flowery in her language.

The crowd was about 50/50. They booed Senator Clinton when she brought up the dufus Texas State Senator that couldn't name any accomplishment of Obama's. But, I think they did because that senator was sitting in the third row and it had to be humiliating for him to be called out like that. She was right, though. That senator is a moron.

The after parties lasted until 1 a.m. and there are rallies tonight in Austin, too. Streets are closed and both campaigns are still in Texas.

I want everyone outside of Texas to know...this excitement about this election goes beyond the little blue oasis that is Austin. People from Tyler to El Paso are charged up and ready to vote on March 4. We can't wait to breathe a sigh of relief when President Bush leaves office and seeing the candidates in the state reassure us all that it's not that far away.