Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2008 > February > 21
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Live debate-watching party post No. 5
Security was thick and tight at the Hyatt Regency Austin, which implied the presidential candidates would end up there, rather than Obama stopping by the Scholz party, as was rumored earlier in the evening.
The overflow from the second-floor ballroom, where Texas Democratic dignitaries gathered, draped over the various lobby bars and nooks. Clearly, debate fever had clasped the entire hotel.
Jimmy Dushku, Heidi Dushku
“It was pretty chaotic,” said blogger Jimmy Dushku, who huddled on a banquette next to his mother, Heidi. “Everybody had a feeling of being a part of the debate. But whenever there’s a big event in Austin, the whole community gets involved.”
Kim Joffe, Lisa Matulis
“Yeah, the crowd seemed invested,” said Kim Joffe, who kept up the energy post-debate with Lisa Matulis. “I was surprised by how split it was. Before, everyone was ‘Obama, Obama, Obama.’ Then again, I was in the women’s room and they were talking about him like he was Mick Jagger.”
Standing alone in the lobby was stage and screen actor Randy Stripling, who, in the most discreet way possible, revealed he was running for U.S. Senate as a write-in candidate. “You know how it is: No name recognition; no money,” he said. “But I’ve been encouraged by the support I’ve had so far.”
This year, everyone gets involved.
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Live debate-watching party post No. 4
Whoah. That kind of small Austin talk with strangers is usually reserved for the biggest Longhorn games.
At the Alamo South Theater, all parking lots were full and two theaters were sold out with debate watchers. Earlier, they had lingered by a live donkey and tables for Clinton and Obama supporters.
“It’s 3 to 1 Obama,” said box office operator Julia Ruth (pictured holding the Alamo election tally). Patrons had reported their preferences when they purchased the required $10 beverage voucher. (No charge for admission.)
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Live debate-watching party post No. 3
The candidate neutral party at Mother Egan’s was so well attended that Greg Steinberg and Alix Horton commandeered a couch at the nearby club Molotov.
Greg Steinberg, Alix Horton
“Awww… It’s playing here, too!” said one Molotov celebrant expecting a different kind of party.
Angie Kalsbeck and Bryan Vega craned their necks to see the giant screen at Mother Egan’s — from the sidewalk outside. Cheers and applause seemed evenly divided on the pub’s patio. Early on, the biggest rose went up when Clinton urged an end to ” Bush’s war on science.”
Angie Kalsbeck, Bryan Vega
Melissa Long and Kurt Mohlman watched in the comparatively tense atmosphere of the bar’s interior. They are splitting their allegiences.
Mohlman: “We try not to discuss it.”
Long: “Or when we do, he doesn’t hear what I say”
Melissa Long, Kurt Mohlman
Up and down West Sixth Street, bars that normally showed only sports or music on their monitors were tuned to the debate. Checking back on Molotov, the apolitical celebrant was parked at the bar, enthralled. It’s been that type of election.
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Live debate-watching party post No. 2
The question of the night: How do you spread your political message without alienating your friends, especially in a close, historic race like this one?
At Texans for Obama at Scholtz Garten, full at 5:30, packed at 6.
Susan Blount, Dana Dean, Peggy Reis, Bridgette Beinecke
Susan Blount: “You think about their perspective and of points that would resonate with them.”
Dana Dean: “I’m generally not fearful of alienating other people. I have friend on the fence who are excited about having two viable candidates. We just talk about which one would be superior.”
Peggy Reis: “I live in rural Wisconsin and I’m surrounded by Republicans, so my husband and I broach the issues, not the candidates.”
Bridgette Beinecke: “It’s more of a soft sell approach. I say ‘This person merits your consideration.’”
Troy Hill, Loretta Renfro, Sheryl Alexander
Troy Hill: “I first ask if they are registered to vote. Most I talk to are for Obama. If they are not registered, I try to get them. It doesn’t count if you don’t vote.”
Loretta Renfro: “You just urge them to vote, no matter who for. And at our church, we give them rides.”
Sheryl Alexander: “Everybody needs to vote for who they support. Just vote.”
Ryan Soelberg, Sarah Smith, Mike Agresta
Ryan Soelberg: “It’s difficult. I’ve lost one friend over this election.”
Sarah Smith: “My parents are social workers, so they are big on ‘saying things other people can hear.’ … Talking about things both people know. That said, even my parents are pretty prickly about the subject right now.”
Mike Agresta: “Humor is important. Make fun of all sides. And if the person is your friend, respect their opinions.”
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Live debate-watching party post No. 1
Out & About hopes to drop by each event tonight, so check the blog to find out how people are socializing for political purposes. Our question: How does one spread a political message among friends without offending supporters of other candidates? We’ll record the responses live, then add the photos after 10 p.m.
Meanwhile, so many journalists and celebrities are milling about Austin, it’s hard to keep up. Here are a couple of leaks: Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel with guests Joe Ely and Carolyn Wonderland plan to perform at a post-debate event for Obama tonight. Then comedian George Lopez will perform a set in support of Obama at Opal’s Penn Field on Friday at 3:30 p.m. Other tips welcome.
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Olympic hopeful Eric Shanteau makes splash at Hilton event
Shanteau, an Olympic hopeful and subject of a recent Statesman profile, routinely ranks second or third in his events, but only the top two U.S. contenders can make the team, even if he’s also, say, No. 3 in the world.
Shanteau shined at a charity event, oddly scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday at the Hilton Austin’s 8th-floor health club pool. It was all part of a Hilton campaign to help local swim clubs and the USA Swimming Foundation. (Participants are swimming a total of 6,250 laps at various Hiltons — symbolizing the miles from Los Angeles to Beijing — while the hotel chain donates tens of thousands of dollars to train swimmers. Cool idea.)
Shanteau told me about his upcoming meets, including one in Austin on March 6-8 (the most overcrowded weekend of the Austin social calendar each year), as well as an encore exhibition event for spectators. He’ll take a week or so off, then head to the Olympic training village in Colorado Springs (we joked about gasping for air at the facility I visited last year).
What does he do during his off weeks? Read books. And lake activities: “My idea of the perfect day is a day at the lake,” says the athlete who grew up on Lake Lankier near Atlanta.
Two of the local groups participating in the Hilton event were Nitro, a North Austin swim club, and SWIM, a group that matches coaches with at-risk kids.
Dominic Testa of USA Swimming Foundation with Paul Wallace and Bryan Jones of SWIM
“It’s in between ‘learn to swim’ and competitive events,” says Paul Wallace, the investment banker and UT swim alum who helps run the program. Wallace says he grew up in a single-parent home in the San Antonio inner city, and swimming helped rescue him from a wasted life. So, working through Boys and Girls Clubs, he’s making a difference in Austin.
Hilton’s Sean Durkin, Joe Bolash and Paul Parr, executive sous-chef
It was also fun hanging out with the crack Hilton staff, although the only refreshment I sampled with the so-called Vitamin Water (from the Center for Responsible Hydration, whatever that is). It tasted like green tea, which is what it is.
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