Blogging the Texas showdown

Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton squared off Thursday night in Austin, Texas, in the first of two debates leading up to the March 4 primaries, where polls show the election in Texas is a dead heat while Clinton holds a slight edge in Ohio.
Opening up the confrontation before a crowd of more than 43,000, it was apparent the two wanted to continue kinder, gentler tone of the Jan., 31 debate in Los Angeles.
During her opening statement, Clinton talked of her first visits to Texas 36 years ago to register voters and her ties to former Rep.Barbara Jones and former Gov. Ann Richards.
Instead of the campaign speech she has used to criticize Obama's experience, Clinton spoke instead of her desire for specific programs. "I offer a lifetime of experience," she said.
Obama continued the tone with his opening remarks.
"It's a great honor to share the stage with Sen. Clinton," Obama said."I said before we were friends before this election and we'll be friends after."