News 8 Austin is carrying Barack Obama‘s speech live right now – so if you’re not one of the thousands down at Auditorium Shores, tune in.
UPDATE: Obama makes waves, according to the AP:
“Obama, speaking at a massive outdoor rally in Austin, Texas, said British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s decision this week to withdraw 1,600 troops is a recognition that Iraq’s problems can’t be solved militarily.
“‘Now if Tony Blair can understand that, then why can’t George Bush and Dick Cheney understand that?’ Obama asked thousands of supporters who gathered in the rain to hear him. ‘In fact, Dick Cheney said this is all part of the plan [and] it was a good thing that Tony Blair was withdrawing, even as the administration is preparing to put 20,000 more of our young men and women in.
“‘Now, keep in mind, this is the same guy that said we’d be greeted as liberators, the same guy that said that we’re in the last throes. I’m sure he forecast sun today,’ Obama said to laughter from supporters holding campaign signs over their heads to keep dry. ‘When Dick Cheney says it’s a good thing, you know that you’ve probably got some big problems.’
“A spokeswoman for Cheney, traveling with him in Australia, said they had no comment on Obama’s remarks.”
Hmmm, so Cheney’s in Australia with this heap of kangaroo shit the day Obama’s here. It’s a conspiracy!
UPDATE 2: A helpful commenter points out KEYE has the entire speech on their Web site.
This article appears in February 23 • 2007.