Clinton vs. Obama: Listen To the Crowd Noise
(CBS)
SAN ANTONIO, TEX. -- One of the things you notice about Hillary Clinton's rallies is the tonal difference from the events Barack Obama holds.
With Obama you get a deep, thunderous roar -- fed by the many thousands he draws, but also by the many men in the audience.
At Clinton's events, the response is high-pitched. You hear the voices of women because there are so many in the audience. The sound to my ear is more plaintive, a room or gym or arena willing her to win.
On this night in San Antonio it is that way. Yet the crowd is perhaps more energized. There is a symbiosis between candidate and crowd. A shared belief that for Hillary, it's now or never.
She takes a few shots at Obama's obsession with change and his gauzy references to hope.
"The question is not whether we have change the question is whether we will have progress that makes a difference in people’s lives," she says to the 4,000 or so in attendance at St Mary's Catholic University.
“This does not happen by wishing for it, it doesn’t even happen by hoping for it. People live in hope. We have hope, what we need is help and help is on the way!”
Her message brims with practicality. "Solutions for America," says the sign behind her. Good government earnestness is on display. Quality health care, good jobs, decent wages, the disgrace of No Child Left Behind -- the same points Obama makes, though she takes issue with Obama's plan that is not universal, or not as universal as hers.
She stands up there on stage in her gold-colored jacket. Wide-eyed as she makes her points. Her voice breaking every so often as she shouts over the cheers.
She is trying hard. You can see it. She makes her points crisply and explains them compellingly. Her cadences are rhythmic. She feeds off the applause.
Could she be just now hitting her stride so late? Is it too late?
The crowd loves her. There is real affection in the air. It may be sisterhood, but it feels like more. In her way, Clinton's rallies are as distinctive as Obama's.
They're just not as loud.
CBS News' Fernando Suarez contributed to this report.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
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See all 74 Commentslately I find Obama with less potential, but rather hopelessly arrogant.
on the question by a reporter regarding the argument of lack of experience, O: why experience? did not Google surpass experienced internet companies behind? reporter was so stunned he/she (I don''t remember) did not continue that experience for presidency of the USA may present different challenges...same question by another reporter. O: I think running my campaign brings some good experience.the reporter did not go further -running the campaign comparing to actual presidency.
we were at a Hillary rally in Maryland and I must say we found her very inspiring. She knows what''s ahead, has tremendous depth of understandin of the issues with detailed plans. the health care plan the most exciting for me. Her political positions during the years are consistent. no opening for flip flop.
I do fear the ""independents" who might pile up for Obama after the republican nomination is settled, and the next three primaries are all open primaries. I get the impression that Hillary is compassionate and has a great service attitude to this country. my 7 y/o daughter came to a rally and agrees with me, we love hillary. what about obama, the man who wrote his memoirs at age 40, thinks he right on the path of martin luther, jfk, google ...
anna
We have had 232 years as a nation and for each Presidential election, we have elected a man as President. Sometimes we have not had much of a choice. This election is very different. We have two wonderful candidates. I wish there was some way "not to waste" one of these gifted people on one election. I am for Hillary but I wish, because Obama is still young, that he was not running for President. He has a lot of time to continue his good works in the Senate and continue the refining that will lead to maybe one of the greatest Presidency of our time. At sixty, Hillary is at the peak of her political career. She has the energy, the intelligence, political connectedness, and in-depth answers to our country%u2019s challenges. There will not be another four or eight years of waiting for her. Her day is now! As she historically wins primaries; she is modeling the opportunity that each American girl/woman has in our nation. Her presidency would be a milestone of greatness for the equality of women. I think the %u201CSuperdelegates%u201D should think of that. We could have sixteen magnificent years of unprecedented growth and prosperity as a nation under the leadership of these two candidates.
IF YOU CAN DONATE ANY AMOUNT PLEASE DO! IF YOU CAN NOT DONATE THEN PLEASE VOTE! AND ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO VOTE! I am making calls ,you can too ,go to www.hillaryclinton.com and donate your money and your voice!
Thank you!
June Hutson
Please go to her website. hillaryclinton.com
We all need to admit the next president must know more and understand more and be able to do more than any president in U.S. history-and Hillary Clinton is the only candidate with the necessary intellectual and personal capacities to be president. We all need to be real and honest about what will be required of our next president and neither Obama or McCain have what is needed. I fear for our country-really fear-if she is not elected.
I am a single parent who has been fitting the school system for fifteen years so that my son can receive a high academic education geared to his needs in a more restrictive classroom environment. I belive that Hillary Clinton will address this particular issue in government and through her voice, justly there will be no intelligent students left behind.
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