Crowd erupts during Obama speech -- but it's over mention of Clinton

An interesting and surprising little thing happened Sunday while Barack Obama was speaking (in English) to the National Council of La Raza in San Diego.

It was, according to The Times' Louise Roug, a fairly standard Obama stump speech before the crowd of more than 2,000 members in the Convention Center, where the Republican Party nominated Sen. Bob Dole 12 years ago.

Obama said the gorgeous weather reminded him of his native Hawaii. He criticized the current stand on immigration reform of his Republican opponent, John McCain, who gets his chance to address the group Monday morning when he will stress his economic growth proposals, especially for small businesses, and criticize Obama's plans to raise taxes.

The crowd was very respectful of the Democratic nominee-to-be, who easily leads among Latinos, according to polls. And Obama also talked about giving tax credits to small businesses that provide health insurance for employees.

It was then that the crowd erupted in enthusiastic applause and warm cheers. But not over Obama's policy proposal.

What ignited that outburst was the mere mention by Obama of the name Hillary Clinton, his vanquished party opponent.

She wasn't there, of course. But in absentia the Democratic Party's loser got a noticeably warmer response than the winner, perhaps a reflection of that lingering party unity thing that was taken care of up in Unity.

Or maybe they were just being spontaneously friendly.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press

Comments

[DWPforHILL]

La Raza knows a winner when they hear her name. I notice they were also courteous to Senator Obama, unlike many of his followers when they hear Senator Clinton's name.

By the way, the unity pony was eaten... by PUMAs!

Just Say NO DEAL!
PUMA!

[serena1313]

Latinos are just getting to know Obama. But he already bests McCain by 20 - 30 points.

While McCain co-authoured the immigration bill, he voted against the it. He is a walking contradiction. He wants to have his cake and eat it too.

[kcowley]

Keep the democratic party democratic! The super delegates haven't voted yet- there is still time. Join the PUMA democrats! Please visit justsaynodeal.com. Heidi Feldman of The Denver Group will be on Fox today- Neil Cavuto, please watch! There website is very informative and explains the process well. thedenvergroup.blogspot.com There is still time! Roar!!!!!

[Hillary1st]

Hillary is the winner,the DNC just gave it to Obama.That's why when all the Hillary Supporters vote for McCain,Obama and his Supporters can JUST GET OVER IT!

THE BYLAWS COMMITTE VOTE UNFAIRLY IN THE EYES OF MANY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1whezcwSrQE

[Mary Lou]

Any readers in the Latino community who would still prefer Hillary Clinton as your nominee, please realize that the nomination is not wrapped up until the Convention in August.
Hillary's name belongs on the ballot as an official nominee there - people are working to make sure this happens,
but the Democratic National Committe is trying to block her inclusion in order to
pretend there is UNITY.
Please continue to lift Hillary up in your thoughts and prayers. She loves Latinos, as she does ever other person of every other minority in this country. She is the best candidate to lead America out of it these troubled economic times...

[SMG5208]

That may be Earthbound, but don't convince yourself that Obama enjoys the same support among Latinos that Hillary did/does. That's why she won Peurto Rico by 40 points and why she was able to take Texas in the last inning and why California decidedly went for her. She consistenly won the demographic by a wide margin, and now Obama has to deal with that.

[shestheone]

Everyone knows Latinos and Latinas prefer Hillary
to Obama. She connects with them
and he doesn't.
Obama is the only one who brings people in from other cities and states
to try and pump himself up. But he's sprung a permanent leak and the hot air is coming out faster than it's going in now.

[Minina]

Earthbound, speak for yourself. There are plenty of Latinos (myself included) who saw through Obama's charade from early in the primaries; the fact he's a Democrat does not make less vulnerable to criticism from Hispanics or anyone else. I personally won't shy away from critiquing him as much as required, especially given his flip-flops on issues that matter (you know, other than immigration).

[Puma-SF]

Obama is not qualified to be president and he should not be nominated. It is not too late for the super and pledged delegates to do their job. Senator Clinton is the most qualified person and she has a 100% chance of winning. We need to kick this phoney to the curb and nominate Senator Clinton.

[Susie Devine]

CC & Earthbound, how unifying do you think you are being when you bash a reporter or another blogger for expressing facts as they see them or their 1st Amendment protected opinions.

Continuing to assualt Sen. Clinton by making outlandish claims that stem solely from your wishful thinking imagination does nothing for party unity.

Are you really Republicans in disguise? Because it seems to me that your divisive rhetoric only serves to further John McCain's cause. If you are not, then you are stupidly shooting yourselves in the foot.

Sen. Clinton collected almost 18 million votes. Even if 45% of us decide to boycott Sen. Obama's run for President, and that looks like the current number, he will lose. You will lose.

I think the key for you might be to stop being so touchy every time Sen. Clinton is afforded the honor and recognition she deserves; admit she deserves it; and realize that there's enough honor and recognition for Sen. Obama to have as much as he wants, too.

[Ann]

Come on, Latinos! Don't fall for this unqualified candidate just because he has a (D) behind his name! Be smarter than that! He trashed the both Clintons during his campaign - denigrating President Clinton's record and playing the race card against them - knowing that the Clinton's have never been and would never be racists. They have fought all their lives for equality for all people, especially African Americans and Latinos. The DNC decided they wanted Obama and wanted Hillary OUT and expect you to fall in line. Country before party this year! This man has sat in a church for 20 years listening to anti-white, anti-semetic, anti-American hate-filled rhetoric and did nothing until he was busted by the media! This disqualifies him for the presidency! Sit this one out or vote John McCain! With a Democratic Congress to keep him in check, he can't do anything to harm the U. S. anyway! The LA Times is firmly in the bag for Obama, so don't believe everything you read.

[Hillary1st]

I as a Hillary supporter will not vote for Obama because he don't respect Hillary.I think that is because he knows Hillary is the better choice. Hillary is the one that wanted to help people,Obama just wants to be president.With Obama it is all about me me me me me

[Don]

Would certainly hope that if Sen. Obama would offer the VP slot to Sen. Clinton she would be smart like Sen. Webb and turn it down. I know the media and the pundits all have said that basically Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton were pretty much the same on the issues. Maybe so during the primaries, but I think a gulf has opened up in respect to that similarity since Sen. Obama started flip-flopping on so many issues. IMHO Sen. Clinton is far smarter, and far, far more experienced than Sen. Obama (sort of what has been going on in our country for a long time; i.e., let the more qualified female train and teach the replacement, or even boss, so he can get the credit while the better qualified female employee gets pushed aside. Also, I do not think it would be helpful of her resume for possible future presidential runs to be seen as the VP candidate on a losing ticket (and possibly a ticket that will lose in a lopsided landslide - I honestly believe once the conventions are over the republican campaign machine will kick in and Obama will be faced with having to respond to attack after attack after attack).

In any case, I will not vote for any ticket Sen. Obama is on. And as a protest of the DNC's rules committee actions (awarding a candidate delegates when that candidate voluntarily took his name off the ballot in Michigan does not set well with me at all -- rules committee used some argument about the intent of those who voted uncommitted on the ballots. Well in that case how about awarding Edwards, Clinton, Biden, etc. more delegates for the intent of those who were unable to make it to a caucus to vote but had wanted to vote for one of those candidates? Got to where the DNC now is able to determine the intent of voters. Why even bother with voting let the DNC select our candidate for us; oh, my bad, that is what they pretty much did isn't it?) As a former life-long democrat I am now a a registered independent. From now on, I choose my own candidates and support those I choose not the party's choices.

Like Sen. Obama, being historically the first black nominee (well probably will be in August if he and Gov. Dean are able to prevent a roll call vote for Sen. Clinton, of a major political party, it will also be historical for me as it will be the first time ever that I have voted for a republican candidate for president (I just turned 67 a short time ago).

Clinton '08

McCain '08

PUMA

[rockrooky]

Party unity? You must be joking? When his lead fell from 11 points to 3 points in about one week? 3 points is nothing in statistics.

There is a crisis in this campaign and hiding heads in the sand is not the solution.

[Anna]

Only Hillary Clinton can solve the crisis in this country today. She is the best of all for president. She must be FIRST on the ticket, or not at all.. Barack Obama, what a joke. If we don't get Hillary, I must vote John McCain.

Another Former Democrat.

[Lynn]

Obama is acting like he's already the nominee. Statistically both McCain and Clinton are more popular with Hispanics than Obama is. However his ego probably assumed that the applause was for him. After all when he appeared after a Rock Concert he acted as if all the people there had come to see him. By the time he's done with his flip-flopping he may only get 2 votes in the general election; his and Michelle's.

[FT]

Latinos respect what you do, not what you say. Latinos honor keeping your word. Latinos respect loyalty. Latinos respect courage.

Enough said.

[charley]

I don't care if Obama is black, white or a purple dinosaur - he is BORING us to tears -the establishment candidate of the Democratic Party - a compromising soul - go along to get along. I will support him relunctantly - but Hillary is the brilliant one - with genuine concern for everyday people - she was the colorblind candidate - and they continue to label her supporters as "poor and uneducated" - Really?? and so what if they all were - Barack is the candidate of people who don't need government . The faculty lounge and idealisitic ivy leauge students- Wake me when it's over

[Old Democrat]

Guys, I know Obama looked like a good idea. But he's had a month-long test drive of the nomination, with Hillary campaigning for him - and it's just not working.

If we want a Democrat in the White House in November, we'd better choose Hillary at the convention Aug 25. She has already offered Clinton/Obama.

This gives the Dems -- and Obama -- four terms in the White House. He gets two terms of bully pulpit with no read demands -- then a clear shot at the nomination in 2016.

A real election Aug 25 is still possible; only about 175 delegates switching back to Hillary would get us a landslide ticket.

[DiamondTiger]

Cheering Clinton when she isn't even in attendance is a sure sign of gumby's approaching demise. When the DNC selected Obama over the people's choice they created PUMA and I personally would like to thank the DNC for their incredible stupidity. They have created more patriotic spirit and questioning minds than the RNC ever could.

If Clinton's name is not put into nomination and Obama gets her off the ballot, just like all his other opponents in Chicago races, PUMA will grow even faster. We are at the tipping point....

PUMA
Just Say NO DEAL!!!!

[Jose M Rivera]

Obama has not been truthful about his accomplishments on immigration legislation. That man is a fake,according to Donna Brazille,we latinos are not longer part of the democratic party coalition.
Clinton Democrat
Mccain 2008

[earthkeeper]

What excellent posts!
Wake up Super D's & Delegates!
We want Hillary Clinton nominated!
The Democratic Party will have hell to pay if her name is
not on the ballot for nomination!
Hillary was ELECTED!
Barak was Selected!
WE AND HILLARY HAVE BEEN ROBBED !
No Hillary the DNC will Fall.
We will remember all that stabbed Hill in the back and
states who voted for Hill and elected officials did not follow.
We will SELECT TO NOT ELECT YOU!
Its time to stand strong with Hillary. There is to much
at stake. We need Hillary. She'll clean up this mess.
Its not to late to save our planet and our futures.
HILLARY, HILLARY, HILLARY!!!!!!

[Sheltiemom]

Earthbound and CC: Right, I could see how much more the Latinos loved O than Hillary during the primaries - especially when she thumped him so badly among that group of voters.
NOway. NObama. NOvember. NOtever.

PUMA - When we growl, we mean it.

[JerzyErnie]

Madame President Hillary Clinton, we have not forgotten you support the Denver Group for a fair and honest roll call at the convention.America it is to Importnant that we get the proven candidate for president, Hillary Clinton for president 2008. GO PUMA POWER!

[ipotter]

WE WANT HILLARY!!!! WE WANT HILLARY!!! WE WANT HILLARY!!!

DNC take note, only Hillary at the top of the ticket will get my vote.

NOBAMA