A Hillary Clinton guessing game

Who is Hillary Clinton?

She's been in the public spotlight--unrelentingly so, at times--since 1992. She's been the subject of numerous profiles and books, including two recent, well-publicized biographies. Yet, more so than with most major political figures, there lingers an enigmatic, removed quality about her. Early this year, Mark Penn, her chief strategist, wrote a public memo in which he asserted that to many voters, Clinton was "famous but really unknown."

Today, an intriguing juxtaposition of columns in the Washington Post by two national syndicated writers only adds to confusion about her.

E.J. Dionne Jr., in musing about the rollout this week of her healthcare plan, sees much to admire in Clinton's rueful recollections of the more ambitious--and politically disastrous--proposal she pushed as first lady. He concludes that in her battle for the White House, "It could turn out that Clinton's strongest argument is that someone who is aware of her own shortcomings, laughs about them and works at them has the character to be president."

In a piece laid out directly below Dionne's, Richard Cohen reflects on Clinton's response--or lack thereof--to MoveOn.org's now-notorious "General Betray Us" ad and finds her sorely lacking. He writes: "The issue with Hillary Clinton is not whether she's smart or experienced but whether she has ... the character to be president." Clearly, he's a skeptic on that count.

So which depiction is on the money? More to the point, which one will the majority of Americans accept? On that, the ultimate outcome of the 2008 campaign may well pivot.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[vwcat]

I love EJ Dionne's writing and usually agree with him except on this.
Not the issue of Move on. But, like Cohen says, it is a matter of Character.
I personally find the whole Move on thing a strawman and feel it is just a game of one upsmanship.
But, I have long questioned why the democrats are so blind and stupid as to support her. I am a democrat and proud to be one. But, if Clinton is nominated I will not be a democrat for the first time in my life and I will sit out the election.
I fine both Clintons to be selfish, immature and greedy. They do lie like they drink water. They have ethical problems and basically it is a matter of trust.
I, like the democrats like me, do not trust either clinton not to sell our party out just like in the 90s. I don't trust them not to sell the country out to the highest bidder in outsourcing.
I wonder why it is that the LATimes is the only media that has called Hillary into question at all. The rest are giving her a free pass and she is one who least deserves it.
So, yes, it is about character and trustworthiness and so far she has earned neither.