From The Road
February 13, 2008 9:16 PM

Clinton vs. Obama: Listen To the Crowd Noise

(CBS)
From CBS News National Correspondent Dean Reynolds:

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.
Tags:
Clinton
Topics:
Hillary Clinton
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by anna_ma February 16, 2008 6:32 AM EST
great comments storysue, lovehillary, progress08,lisa cochran, mary p, patrick and many more especially ethnoy, zbkt, ls481 and bigpool1 I share your concern.
lately 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
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by shirlin1-2009 February 16, 2008 3:49 AM EST
What "solutions" has Hillary created for U.S. problems? Besides making the Clinton family incredibly rich, the Clinton dynasty gave us NAFTA and the loss of thousands of good jobs through outsourcing, gave us a failed health care plan, and eight years of a Republican Congress and Bush II. Check Hillary''s Senate information on what bills she has passed. Nada of any worth. Senator Obama has a track record of brilliant achievement throughout his life, from his success in Harvard Law School, to his successes in community organizing in Chicago''s South Side, to a slew of important bi-partisan acions in the Illinois legislature, to his work on important committees in the Senate, to a very successful campaign. Contrast that alone with Hillary''s campaign. She has run through multi-millions of donor dollars; has been flip-flopping her messages, has sent her husband out to race and gender-bait Senator Obama, has used her staff to smear Obama''s character, etc, etc. She is not only not poetry, she is not even competent prose. Her campaign has been tone-deaf and now HOPES to beat Senator Obama by lying on his record.
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by shesourprez February 16, 2008 2:38 AM EST
Hillary is one of the hardest working people for her state there ever was. She gets the job done. She won the praise of the Northern New Yorkers, which she had to do and succeeded in lots of accomplishments up there. Obama knows how to reve up the audience with trying to see how great a speaker he is, which he is, BUT HE DOES NOT SPELL OUT HIS AGENDA. Hillary does just read her accomplishments in Congress.
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by nm4teach February 15, 2008 11:51 PM EST
Please Wait Senator Obama!
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.
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by rrlieberma February 15, 2008 2:20 AM EST
ELECTABILITY: It is Hillary who has won twice against the full brutal force of the Republican Attack Machine whereas Obama beat, um, Alan Keyes. It is Hillary who has a proven record of bringing together winning coalitions of Democrats, Indepedents and Republicans, winning 58 of 62 counties including the reddest of red New York. To win in November, we need deeds and accomplishments not just florishes and vague
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by junehilary February 15, 2008 1:54 AM EST
OK Hillary supporters! IT''S OUR TIME! Our candidate has been smeared by the media and by the Obama campaign! The exit polls show that Obama gets the wealthy upper class voters! Then he sneers ay Hillary because she does not raise as much as him from her voters! We are the ones that NEED OUR VOICES HEARD! We have to invest in our country''s future! Please don''t let this arrogant hateful man buy his way into the White House while saying that Hillary gets bought by BIG MONEY LOBBYIST! IT DOES NOT RING TRUE! When all this is over and his campaign finance is investigated I think we will see a very different story told! Let''s don''t let it be to late!
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
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by kyle6281 February 15, 2008 1:39 AM EST
I could not agree more. Obama is a motivational speaker with little behind it. Hillary actually gets the job done time and again. She and Bill have faced the Republican attack machine and won every time. Is that something American''s should ignore? I don''t think so. Hillary is about Change so people should not get so excited about Obama rhetoric that isn''t backed up with decades of service like Hillary''s experience is. She is a tireless advocate for ALL.
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by kyle6281 February 15, 2008 1:36 AM EST
I could not agree more. Obama is a motivational speaker with little behind it. Hillary actually gets the job done time and again. She and Bill have faced the Republican attack machine and won every time. Is that something American''s should ignore? I don''t think so. Hillary is about Change so people should not get so excited about Obama rhetoric that isn''t backed up with decades of service like Hillary''s experience is. She is a tireless advocate for ALL and that is why her healthcare plan covers EVERYONE. Notice to Obama lies coming out he is as bad as the republicans.
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by susaninok February 15, 2008 12:59 AM EST
I agree, although I like Obama''s message he is not even close ready to be our president. I have always voted for the democrat in presidential elections, but if Obama gets the nomination (God forbid) and McCain gets the republican nomination, I will feel compelled to vote for McCain. With the gravity of the problems our country faces we need all the experience we can get, Obama just doesn''t have it.
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by rrlieberma February 15, 2008 12:39 AM EST
ELECTABILITY: It is Hillary who has won twice against the full brutal force of the Republican Attack Machine whereas Obama beat, um, Alan Keyes. It is Hillary who has a proven record of bringing together winning coalitions of Democrats, Indepedents and Republicans, winning 58 of 62 counties including the reddest of red New York. To win in November, we need deeds and accomplishments not just florishes and vague
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by anxious08 February 15, 2008 12:20 AM EST
FINALLY!!!! Someone in the media who will actually say something nice about Hillary Clinton the next President of the United States of America THANK YOU anxious08
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by rrlieberma February 14, 2008 9:19 PM EST
ELECTABILITY: It is Hillary who has won twice against the full brutal force of the Republican Attack Machine whereas Obama beat, um, Alan Keyes. It is Hillary who has a proven record of bringing together winning coalitions of Democrats, Indepedents and Republicans, winning 58 of 62 counties including the reddest of red New York. To win in November, we need deeds and accomplishments not just florishes and vague
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by storysue February 14, 2008 9:13 PM EST
I love Barack! He definitely has a long future in public, but, I wish people could really consider why Hillary is the better candidate. We are all emotional and excited about CHANGE! We can''t wait for it...but, Hillary is also about change! I heard John McCain the other night begin the drumbeat against Obama. He will hammer the "Junior" experience and the fact that McCain is a war hero. I have met Hillary several times, been to her events and met Bill. Believe me when I say, she will get it done...she is a warrior not only for women, but, soldiers, children, men the disabled, etc. Think folks...this is the most critical election in a generation and it is not only "middle aged" women that believe in Hillary. It is men, people of color and young adults. She IS THE CANDIDATE FOR CHANGE!
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by lovehillary February 14, 2008 9:02 PM EST
As someone who has campaigned for Hillary since day one, has been to many of her rallies and met her on many occasions, I can testify to the fact that the electricity in the air is explosive. People do love Hillary!! They adore her!!! They also know that she is the one candidate who can do the presidential job on DAY 1!!! And as someone who has PAID HER DUES, Hillary DESERVES this nomination!!
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by progress_08 February 14, 2008 7:19 PM EST
Listen everybody, both candidates are strong candidates. It''s a great year. THAT is why voters are coming out in droves. It''s not because of one or the other. There are millions who have never voted but are doing so because of HILLARY and Obama. The question is: who do you believe will be able to push this nation towards the progress we need. It will require CHANGE AND EXPERIENCE. Just listen to Hillary in one debate. It is clear she has the experience. She understands this system inside and out. She has relationships with many countries around the world. She has been tested against the Republican attack dogs. Please remember Mondale, Kerry, Gore. They all were untarnished when they got the nomination but by the time the Repulicans were done with them, they had been knocked out. If Obama were to get the nomination, the same would happen to him. He needs some accomplishments to stand on so he can hold his ground with them. At this point, he doesn''t. In 4 or 8 years, he will. HILLARY is the best choice in this election and she will bring about amazing change that will benefit us all.

Please go to her website. hillaryclinton.com

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by zbkt February 14, 2008 6:31 PM EST
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has my vote, my financial contribution, and my time as a volunteer. She is knowledgeable, experienced, and has the heart, the courage, and the perseverance to get this country back on track. She knows the Washington scene and won''t need to learn on the job. We mustn''t let the media''s dire predictions get us down. I''m reminded of the famous picture of President Harry S. Truman on the morning of his election; he was holding a newspaper announcing Thomas Dewey as the winner.
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by ethnog2 February 14, 2008 6:27 PM EST
Hillary has a grasp of what is needed to be President: first, what will be to repair our educational system as a result of No Child Left Behind; she has a powerful intellect capable of managing international negotiations and global struggles; her grasp of economics goes far beyond any presidential candidate running; and her concern for children and all people is reflected in her health insurance plan. I heard one Republican -former senator-say on a news show "there is only one candiate now running who is capable of being president-Hillary Clinton." He also said he wouldn''t vote for her-something about her being in the wrong party.
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.
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by ls481 February 14, 2008 6:17 PM EST
I agree. Obama is like a child. He copies everything Hillary does. And in debating, he just argues for the sake of arguing, not to clear up any issues or make anything more clear to the audience. I think all he cares about is winnig, not the issues. He keeps saying he has Republicans and Independents voting for him. Well why doesn''t he take his $32 million and start his own party then. He certainly doesn''t reflect my views. And a mob mentality always makes me nervous. I thought our nightmare of inexperience and arrogance was about to be over. Lord help us if we get another one in there. I''m voting Hillary!
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by lutesd1 February 14, 2008 5:42 PM EST
Obama is not JFK or Robert. However, he is a Ted K. We need a President with the intelligence to get us out of the mess we are in. Someone who understands the system and can make it work the way it is suppose to. Change for change sake is equal to zero. We need a person with a plan (and Obama likes Hillary''s because he is copying them). We need experience and vision not rhetoric. The media needs to get off her suit and report the news rather than generate it. Where is Walter C when you need him. lutesd
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by reel8 February 14, 2008 5:39 PM EST
I voted for Hillary because she has compassion for children who are born with autism. Today, statistics show a significant increase of children born with this condition, specially with Aspergers Disorder (high function autism)These children become emotionally disturbed do to severe bulling in public schools. Yes, they are clumsy, and show strange behaviours and sadly have no peoples skills. However, they are very intellingent human beings. Our government has an obligation to these children. Hillary Clinton, is the only candidate running for president who has an interest in health issues, specialy in finding a solution to prevent these disorder if not a cure for children with autism and her universal health plan covers this issue.
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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