I was at the welcome party for Texas-wide Obama campaign staff at Victory Grill. There were hundreds of people there (some missing part of the Texas-Kansas basketball game). Many of the staff were there before going to other parts of the state. The number of places they were going to were mind-boggling. It demonstrated what I believe to be the Obama strategy in Texas--- win as many primary votes and caucus votes possible EVERYWHERE.
The party was at Victory Grill on East 11th street. This place has been hosting Obama events for a long time. Going forward, there will be a big office in Downtown Austin at 816 Congress Avenue (8th and Congress). Anyone in Austin who wants to volunteer can show up starting on Saturday morning. In fact, there will be a big party there.
I would still look for Texans For Obama for detailed information.
Corpus Christi, Laredo, San Antonio, Tyler. These are just some of the names I heard where staff will be going to. Texas is a HUGE state, so a ground game requires a lot of ground. It was inspiring to hear that Obama isn't conceding any ground. He will have active campaigning in all areas, regardless of ethnicity or class. The "Obama is only going after African Americans, Students and Yuppies" claim is a myth.
There is also a lot of organization to help find places for people to stay.
There are many events in Austin, as there are throughout the state. Early voting is on Feb. 19. The debate at the University of Texas at Austin is on Feb. 21. I'm sure there will be a rally around that time. The staff said that (minus Oprah) Austin can still claim the title as biggest rally for Obama.
The voting process will be a "Texas Two-Step". First vote (preferably in early voting) and then attend the caucus at the precinct at 7:15 pm sharp at the precinct.
These big two steps require lots of volunteering. But we're fired up and ready to go.
Update 1: The two steps are a primary and a caucus. To vote in the primary, you can either do Early Voting anywhere in the city/county you live in or you can vote on March 4 at your precinct. If you do the first step (vote), then you do a second step. That is to go to your precinct at 7:15 pm SHARP and write down the candidate you want. You can leave immediately afterwards.
Update 2: State Senator Kirk Watson just endorsed Obama. That's just another boost for Obama in Austin.