The Kingpins of Cowtown

Smells like an upset

'nough said.

Sound bites ... in conclusion

Line of the night goes to CNN's Anderson Cooper -- whose quick response to Rep. Dennis Kucinich was money.

For the last question, the candidates were asked to look to the candidate to their left and say something they liked about them and something they didn't. Kucinich was positioned on the far end, with no one to his left. About which he quipped that CNN had rigged it that way.

Cracked Cooper: "I'm not sure we could find anybody [to the left of you]."

Runner-up goes to Sen. Barack Obama, who was asked if he's "black enough."

"You know," he said, "when I'm catching a cab in Manhattan ... I'm giving my credentials."

Honorable mention to Hillary Clinton's YouTube campaign ad, which included the line:

"Sometimes the best man for a job is a woman."

Overall impression: Pretty good sense of what the average Joe really cares about -- straight from the average Joe, no coaching to speak of, no posturing, straight-up town hall-type "What're you gonna do for me ..." video questioning that could be expected from YouTube. Did we learn much from the candidates we didn't already know? I don't think so. It was all about the format -- which was, in the end, refreshing.

-- T-bone Uhler | uhler@star-telegram.com

Live streaming video ... of course

When all else fails, go to the Internet -- but you already knew that.

Still no satellite signal here behind the filing cabinets ... but now we've got the live streaming video from CNN on the old reliable PC.

Why do I have the sneaking suspicion the PC's gonna crash?

New question: "Who's your favorite teacher and why?" ... Lob. C'mon people! We're better than this.

-- T-bone Uhler | uhler@star-telegram.com

'Would you mind repeating that video question?'

In a sign of things to come, indeed things already come to pass, we've lost the satellite feed. I heard thunder, and I think it might be sprinkling outside.

Yes, I just went and looked out the window. It's raining a bit.

"Marge, who's our satellite TV provider?!"

Hope I haven't missed anything important ... said by politicians ... hoping to get my vote in the next election ...

Oop! Search for the satellite signal successful. ... Hillary answering a well-put question from a soldier's mother about the war ... Dennis Kucinich chiming in now ...

Lost the feed again ...

I feel like I'm in the dark. ... Is this symbolic? ... I honestly don't know.

-- T-bone Uhler | uhler@star-telegram.com

What's the difference?

The potential in this debate is that a YouTuber will ask a question that temporarily befuddles a candidate, nudges him or her out of their comfort zone.

Something that will show the rest of us how quick the candidate thinks on his or her feet.

That's the potential. But these are seasoned professionals -- they've been to the mandatory town hall meeting and are trained in this sort of give-and-take.

We can only keep hope alive.

-- T-bone Uhler | uhler@star-telegram.com

YouTube and Democrats

Judging by the numbers, Austinites have the best chance in Texas of getting their YouTube video questions aired during the CNN debate tonight.

There were five submissions from Austin, according to CNN. Houston was next with four. We had two submitted from Fort Worth. Big D could muster just one.

From the Fort Worth contingent, look for "Marcus's" on putting limitations on radio ownership and "Nathan's" on NASA's future.

There were 27 total from the Lone Star State, including two who didn't list a hometown.

Good luck to all.

-- T-bone Uhler | uhler@star-telegram.com