Hillary's Puerto Rican caravan
Posted: Saturday, May 31, 2008 4:40 PM by Mark Murray
From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
BAYAMÓN, PR -- While the DNC meeting over the fate of Florida and Michigan goes on in the nation's capital, Hillary Clinton is now in her third hour of an old-fashioned Puerto Rican caravan, winding her way through the streets to rally as many supporters as she can before tomorrow's primary.
It's get-out-the-vote like we haven't seen in the States, as the campaign now tells us the entourage has swelled from the dozen cars that gathered in Cataño to nearly 300 going through the outskirts of San Juan.
"This is a very traditional way of campaigning in Puerto Rico," said Kenneth McClintock, president of the Puerto Rico Senate and a co-chair of Clinton's campaign here. "We know it's not done in the states. But Hillary is learning to campaign borriqua-style."
In front is a pickup truck outfitted with several very loud loudspeakers, playing a rotation of a half dozen songs, including one by Ricky Martin and another original number that makes the case for the New York senator to a reggaeton beat. A woman also repeatedly announcing, "Aqui está la grande caravana" coming through the neighborhood for "Hillary! Hillary Clinton, la proxima y segura presidenta." She also urges voters to get out tomorrow.
Following behind is a flatbed truck transporting as many as 40 cameramen, photographers, and reporters -- all watching Clinton's every move in her pickup. She's joined by her Puerto Rico co-chairmen, including McClintock, waving and smiling and offering thumbs up to those who quickly run to the side of the road to catch a glimpse.
Occasionally, we pass through a neighborhood where some signal a thumbs down. But most wave back excitedly, and others slow down driving the other direction to grab a cell phone picture. And Clinton has remained outside for all but 10 minutes of the ride, even during a quick tropical shower.
"It's a way that you can see a lot of people in a relatively short period of time and cover a lot of territory," McClintock said, adding that he has seen far fewer negative reactions than usually par for the course. "She's exhilarated."
Clinton just made a quick pit stop at a local restaurant. On her way out, she was asked if she had heard any updates on the proceedings in Washington. Clinton offered no answer, preferring to resume the caravan.
