Clinton vs. Obama: Listen To the Crowd Noise
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.