Clinton gets Rock Star Welcome in Texas

By: Fernando Suarez
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

EL PASO, TEX. -- Hillary Clinton may have gotten swept by Barack Obama in the tonight's primaries but she received a raucous welcome in El Paso. 12,000 people filled the arena at the University of Texas at El Paso cheering loudly waiting for Clinton to take the stage. Suddenly, the lights were turned off and the sounds of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" played, the crowd flashed and waved their cell phones in the air and cheering enthusiastically as the she took the stage.

It was a moment rarely seen on the Clinton campaign, as most of her crowds have been in the hundreds, not the thousands, throughout this campaign. But after eight straight losses to Senator Obama, her campaign knows that her best chance to stay in this race is to win Texas and Ohio, both delegate-rich states that vote on Mar. 4.

"I can't think of any place to start our campaign in for Texas than right here in El Paso!" Clinton said.

"We're going to sweep across Texas in the next three weeks, bringing our message about what we need in America the kind of president that will be required on day one to be commander-in-chief to turn the economy around. I'm tested, I'm vetted. Let's make this happen!" Clinton said to thunderous applause.

Clinton did not mention Obama's victories in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, opting instead to continue to draw contrasts between Obama's health care plan and hers, making the case that her plan covers all Americans while his plan leaves millions out.

As Clinton concluded her remarks, she asked the crowd to come out and "stand" for her, a reference she uses when talking about caucuses because voters physically stand to be counted when they vote. Texas has a partial caucus and primary system.

"I need you here in El Paso and across Texas to stand up for me," Clinton said as the crowd cheered. "If we stand up together, if we work together, if we fight together we will take back America and we will make history together!" Confetti poured from the ceiling as Clinton ended her remarks, with the crowd chanting her name.

Clinton is expected to campaign in south Texas tomorrow in the city of McAllen, which is near the Mexican border. She will then head to Ohio later in the day.

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by dystantme February 13, 2008 2:11 PM EST: What? "A moment rarely seen?" Hillary''s events have always been in the thousands, unless the venue was only allowing hundreds. How can a story that should be flattering turn into something so negative? Hillary spoke near my house to an overflow crowd of 6k, the night before 7k (both events put together within hours and with overflow crowds.) Hillary in Salinas drew 12k, etc. etc. etc. Not sure where anyone got the idea she only draws hundreds, but some fact checking would be in order.

Having said that... Rock on, Texas! The event sounded awesome! Hillary has tons of support in Texas!

note to Craig9: if you''re truly motivated to find the answers and are not just posting to make a point, then you should look at her website, with all of the info you need. Hillary has tons of accomplishments (many of which for children.) Why do you discount co-sponsoring? That is how things get DONE in the Senate. You should be impressed that she is able to work with her colleagues on BOTH sides of the aisle to accomplish things. If you see someone that doesn''t co-sponsor, that is someone who does not play well with others. We can''t have that in the White House, not again.; Reply to this comment


by roach9703 February 13, 2008 11:59 AM EST: Hillary had a HUGE turnout at Metz Middle School in Virginia,however, for whom did the landslide tool?; Reply to this comment


by jetlizhan February 13, 2008 11:51 AM EST: as emails make their rounds (over and over), have any of you out there seen the one ''so you want to work for the clintons''?? someone sent it to me yesterday and it''s unbelievable how many people employed or had business ties with the clintons over the years are now DEAD!! some had mysterious ''accidents'' and some committed suicide. i don''t know how true it is - but holy cow, it was a long list of 47 names and how they died.; Reply to this comment


by rfcrtl February 13, 2008 11:40 AM EST: HIL-LA-RY!

HIL-LA-RY!

HIL-LA-RY!; Reply to this comment


by rfcrtl February 13, 2008 11:40 AM EST: HIL-LA-RY!

HIL-LA-RY!

HIL-LA-RY!; Reply to this comment


by mikeant50 February 13, 2008 11:23 AM EST: craigh9,

Great post. I have also asked for the same list of accomplishments, but I''m yet to receive it.; Reply to this comment


by craigh9 February 13, 2008 11:10 AM EST: I get so tired hearing everyone talk about Hillarys'''' accomplishments. Can anyone - ANYONE - name a single accomplihment she has actually obtained??? Not something she got her name added to as a co-sponsor, something of value she actual can honestly take credit for?
Everytime I ask this question no one ever come up with anything.

Hillary''s total accomplishment in her 35 years of experience is to keep her lips moving so you don''t notice her picking your pocket. That''s all folks!; Reply to this comment


by shutupnvote February 13, 2008 11:06 AM EST: Hopefully Obama will tell us how he will be paying for all this largess he is dolling out to inspire, with a combined tax rate just below 50 percent already, I hope he is not naive enough to believe Im willing to pay for it?; Reply to this comment


by pepperp1 February 13, 2008 11:00 AM EST: Obama is certainly inspirational he would make a great spiritual coach but he is too inexperienced and indecisive to be President and Commander in Chief.

I am a Voter and I approve of this message.; Reply to this comment


by shutupnvote February 13, 2008 10:57 AM EST: Obama can inspire with lofty prose and wonderful government largess but will he be able to influence members of Congress, Terrorist and World Leaders Americans on the tough issue that are not sweetness and light to right the massive challenges facing our country our world. His two years in the Senate do not show that he has.

Mich and Fla where always intended to be seated so thats jut Obama trash talk to disenfranchise millions of voters that were not inspire by his largess,

the rules for Super Delegates to vote there conscious were the rules when Obama decided to get into the kitchen and demanding a affirmative alignment now is a threat to Party Unity intended to marginalize delegates not smitten by Obamas wave,

Al Sharptons claim last night that rules must change NOW for the super delegates in the middle of the game or there it would be a civil rights matter is incorrect and inflammatory seemed to be a threat not sure to whom but not surprising.

Hillary will win decisively in TX, OH and Pa I doubt that the media created exit polls will in these States will indicated that 80 percent are satisfied with their current financial circumstances.; Reply to this comment