One had to arrive at 5 p.m. local time almost six hours before the senator showed up to go through security and hold a spot on the press risers. It was small compared to some of the senator's rock-concert style gatherings; the event was on near lockdown.

Snipers were posted in turrets on the building, while Secret Service agents kept journalists and supporters in long lines as they hand-wanded everyone who entered.

The big question of the night who would win Texas? It was clear Sen. Hillary Clinton was likely to walk away with Ohio and Rhode Island. Obama would win Vermont.

But journalists, who were reading the exit polls all day, couldn't tell if Obama could in words Clinton aides like to use "seal the deal." He could ease Clinton out of the race, if only he could keep her margin in Ohio small and win Texas.

Local reporters asked for insight from the national media many of whom had been traveling with Obama since Iowa. They couldn't tell which way Texas would go either.

Obama staffers running back and forth repairing Internet service and answering questions ("Where is the candidate now?" "What did he do in his down time today?" "With whom is he watching results?") would stop as they passed and ask "How does it look in Texas?" Almost all night, the answer was "too close to call."

As polls closed, the tension between the Obama and Clinton campaigns reached an almost comical new level. Obama's campaign attorney, Bob Bauer, crashed a media conference call in which Clinton folks were complaining about so-called "voting irregularities" in Texas.

Bauer had a heated back and forth with Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson. As they argued about the caucus process, amused reporters exchanged notes declaring this the most entertaining conference call of the election season.

Soon it was clear the night was not going well for Obama. This day would not seal the nomination.

Around 10 p.m., Obama's chief strategist, David Axelrod, appeared near the press risers and with his zen-like calm provided the official Obama camp view of the night.

He declared the primaries "a wash" because Obama would retain a delegate lead. What about Clinton's claim she had taken the momentum? "It's refreshing," he said with a smile. "It's been a while since she's been able to say that." He predicted Obama would go on to win the nomination.

Obama came on the scene without warning and before his advertised 10:45 p.m. arrival time. Seeming less energized than usual or maybe just exhausted he declared to the plaza crowd, "We are in the middle of a very close race here in Texas. We might not know the results until the morning." Watch Obama speak to the Texas crowd