Hillary and Magic Meet up in Watts

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was in California last weekend, giving a new stump speech to a crowd of 7,000. As ABC’s Jonathan Greenberger reported, he was “flanked by the Pacific Ocean over one shoulder and the Santa Ynez Mountains over his other” in beautiful Santa Barbara, Calif. After unveiling his stump speech he headed to Oprah’s house for a Hollywood bash that raised an estimated $3 million.

Today, one week later, on Compton Avenue in South Central Los Angeles, Sen. Clinton greeted a crowd of community leaders from Watts, before heading to her own Hollywood fundraiser. Clinton, clearly drawing a contrast to Obama’s tonier campaign venue in Los Angeles, took questions from audience members.  She was joined on stage by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Congresswoman Laura Richardson, and Magic Johnson at King/Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science.

Sen. Clinton was introduced as the “point guard” in this faux basketball team on stage, Magic was the “center,” Villagarosa the “swing forward.” Civil rights and discrimination were common themes in this discussion.  “Anybody who tells you there is no longer discrimination in America is not living with their eyes open,” said Clinton.  “This administration basically dismantled the civil rights division of the justice department.”

One audience member took the microphone and told Sen. Clinton that she was “extremely attractive.” Clinton got a high-five from Magic after that comment.

Clinton’s fundraiser at Magic’s house is a much smaller event, compared to the glitz and glamour at Oprah’s house. Those expected to show: Quincy Jones, Berry Gordon (Motown founder,) and Clarence Avant (Famous record executive.)