Let me tell you why I love blackfolk. See: the opening sequence of Hardball's College Tour at SC State. The band kicked off with, I think, “Get up on that good foot."

They ain't never seen nothing like it in politics. Chris knows it turned him out. I wanted a camera shot when the Marching 101 put the stank on that funk.

Notice Elizabeth is there because she understands the good funk. I think I even noted her tapping a foot.

Thick dancers? A fold above the bootie shorts? A drum major that does tricks? I love my people man. And Chris Matthews gets a pass when the revolution kicks off.

A big cheer from the crowd in response to Chris’s suggestion that we care about "getting us out of Iraq". A "do you think hurricane Katrina was handled well" gets a loud, resolute “no” from the crowd! Chris is playing to them like a man who knows what call and response is all about. Cab Calloway is somewhere crying tears of blue magic and joy.


Praise Chris for pointing out how quickly Bush got his ass to Virginia Tech but took days to get to New Orleans. I want to have this man’s mini-pundits.

A go ‘head to Elizabeth for pointing out how Elizabeth Smart got attention cause she was blonde but brown children that went missing during the same time got no media or federal love. She speaks on such issues without stuttering, proving to me again that she's the one who should be running. I like her much more than I do her husband.

The question: What would your husband have done differently in New Orleans?

Elizabeth: He'da been there immediately, that's his style. She says "black" without shaking. She does her husband well. Would have gone to straight to the problem, not all around Mississippi but not New Orleans. You can’t fix major issues without getting into the midst of them.

The question: How does John compete in the excitement competition?

(Big cheers from the crowd for Hillary, slightly larger - but not markedly so -- for Barack...well, I take that back. It's more extended.)

Question: How do you compete with that Liz? That historic excitement?

Elizabeth points out that you didn’t ask who’s supporting Edwards!

Question: How many people for Edwards?

(a cursory cheer, somewhat long but can kids on weed be trusted? They'd shout out for DJ UNK for god's sake. )

Elizabeth: Excitement doesn't matter. Remember dean? People looked past the excitement to decide on policy.

Back to the crowd: How many people here are going to vote?

Big cheer.

No noise for "who's not going to vote?"

Who cheers to their ignorance? C'mon now.

Who gave these kids these signs? Ii hope they got some credit on their cafe accounts for this. Don't be pimping these kids!!!

Back to the Cab Calloway response.

Question: How many have health insurance? These kids know. They know when they can’t get a scrip for Norplant.

Question: Who supports a universal health plan? A big cheer and a quasi-"Edwards" chant

Chris loves Elizabeth… a lot. He comments on her “cherubic face”? Best spokesperson you can have for a candidate, he says. I might have to concur. She's warmer than I’ve seen Michelle Obama play.

I'm seeing lots of chicks in this crowd. Is this indicative of the belief that women are more progressive and involved in our communities or is the cameraman a perv?

________

Ok, a camera span of thee back of those cheerleaders decides: the cameraman is a brother or a perv.

Man in the audience commentary? Quite brave for live tv

Yes, we know it's important that students vote. But what, pray tell, is going to motivate them to do so en masse?

Chris says he's happy!! And he wants you to know that he feels somethting in thte air.. I think chris has been sipping from the crown royal bag.

Would you consider office Elizabeth? Absolutely not. I’m too old!!! Maybe someone should tell the young sister that Elizabeth may not live that long. :(

Pay gaps? Good question darling. "Equal pay day" was yesterday? Does that come with a check? I didn't get mine. Ain't I a woman, damnit?!

83 cents to a dollar? That gap is greater if you're black btw. I want someone on an HBCU to turn the issues to race-centric inequalities.

John has a working wife and daughter about to go out into the real world. Equal pay is important cause he'll hear about it at home.

The band is playing Oscar-time with Chris. They start playing on cue whether homebody has finished talking or not. Chris is so caught up in the rythym he doesn't even care that they just out-Chrised him.

Do these kids know this isn't Spring Bling?

****

Tom Brokaw. One of the last real journalists.

I'd like to point out that he agrees with my earlier assertion that this debate is about image and likeability. It's far too early for seven point plans on policy.

Take that Yobachi.

You don't know...what? Oh....this is a family post.

I also agree with Mr. Brokaw that everyone will be gunning for Barack, not Hillary. They want to "haze" him, see if he's easy to crack.

They know Hill is too practiced and experienced to bow under pressure. Barack is the untested one.

Question: Will this be a big moment for Barack?

Mr. Brokaw: We're a lot like sportswriters before the Superbowl. We don't know. We're just speculating. He is, however, at ease with himself and has a command of the language. It's a mistake to think he's an untried rookie. He's been out there, handling difficult questions. He'll be very well prepared.