Hillary With a Dose of Humanity

If Hillary Clinton really wants to be President of the United States, she must continue to do what she did last night in the CNN debate -- be in touch with her humanity.

For better or worse, we, as American voters, feel the need to relate in a Dr. Phil/Oprah kind of way to our presidential candidates.  No matter how smart or qualified, we still can't get past our desire to have our leaders feel our pain and then throw back a beer over some barbecue.

I'm not sure the Brits felt those were qualities they wanted or needed in Margaret Thatcher. But Hillary still needs a story. 

Maybe she found the beginning of that story last night. Borrowing (careful Hillary, some might say plagiarizing) from the John Edwards playbook, she spoke about the fact that no matter what happens in the race, the candidates will be fine, but that we need to focus on how to make things better for America. 

Clinton's affect seemed toned down and more genuine, maybe a little weary. Being in touch with our own humanity, no matter what we're doing, is what makes us likable and appealing to others.  It's no different for politicians.  After seeing what it was about her husband that resonated with voters, I'm a little surprised Clinton hadn't figured that out yet.

If she's finally gotten to the place where she can be smart and show her more human, less wonky, face, things could turn around.  Even if they don't,  being able to show that part of herself to the world isn't such a bad bonus.

When Joanne isn't glued to the TV watching the Presidential debates, you can find her at her blog, PunditMom.

Comments

[Julie Pippert]

For me, that "in touch with the common man" element is so key because it's been lost from us, the average joes, for so long. (Has it only been 7 years?) I need to KNOW the leader knows how much the cost of milk has risen and how it affects my monthly grocery budget (which has doubled in two years without buying anything more). I need to KNOW the leader can understand what it means to have a neck ache for months on end from stress about being on the financial edge, or falling over it. Having to give up custody of a child so he can get health insurance. These are all stories I have heard recently from the average joes I know. They don't need to be from the trailer park like me, but I need to know they *get it.*

Because then? I can trust him or her to make policy decisions that help me, not hurt me.

I guess we feel this connection happens if you can share a beer.

:)

I do think she did better in the debate than previously, and I thought she'd won quite a few of those (but at expense of alienating some voters). But Obama's getting better, too.

[KL]

I totally agree with you that one of Hillary's problems throughout this campaign is her lack of humanity and her inability to connect with many Americans. We want our politicians to have a story that we can relate to, we want them to feel "real".

But doesn't that make us (individually, and voters, as a group) shallow? Gullible?

Because, from one standpoint, it takes an awful lot of $ to be a national politician these days, and even if a politician convinces us that they get it, that they feel our pain, maybe they just really really don't.

[honglien123]

I think Hillary Clinton in general is just a bad campaigner or perhaps it's the people around her who are just bad. I love that she's smart and knows her stuff. I do believe that she cares deeply about children, education, and healthcare; the main things she's worked on over her long working life. She grew up in a middle class family in the middle of America with a domineering father, went to normal public schools and worked her way through college (or law school anyway). These things make her much more like me than Mr. Obama's history (although I'm not sure anyone can fault any of these candidate's upbringing, it's not like anyone actually has a choice in their own). Unfortunately, just like me, I think Hillary isn't much of a people person or not a crowd person anyway. In this race, she's that geekier, know it all in class that gets teased and has spit balls thrown at her whether she deserves it or not.

I don't really think I mind that she may have borrowed those lines (hell, I don't even care that Obama borrowed his, it's not like either of their positions are new and there are only so many ways you can say the same thing, as I think most of the debate illustrated). I think she delivered them better than Mr. Edwards though. I highly doubt she's a very good actress, she'd have done much better if she were, so I think she really does care and I hope she does well. If not, I hope Obama sees the wisdom of making her, if not his running mate, then his secretary of health or education.

[Mom101]

I agree, that moment during the debate was stellar. The campaign has turned it into an ad and is using it as a fundraising device now. Smart move.

I love honglien's idea that she become secretary of education. If she'd take it.