Just a few days ago, media reports suggested that the Democratic Presidential nomination belonged to New York Senator Hillary Clinton. Polls indicated that she was opening a commanding lead over all of her Democratic opponents. Senator Clinton’s fundraising operation appeared unfazed by some missteps resulting in returned contributions. Other Democratic Presidential candidates struggled to penetrate the political ground noise surrounding the overcrowded Presidential race. So, all of the attention focused on the Democratic frontrunner - and something happened - voters flinched.
Now, no one should mistake a bad couple of weeks for a failed Presidential bid. Even after a less than optimal debate performance and non-stop concentrated attacks from her opponents (both Democratic and Republican), Senator Hillary Clinton remains the odds-on favorite to become the next President of the United States. However, another Clinton Presidency is far less than inevitable. Instead, the stress fractures from presumptive nominee status has revealed some chinks in the political armor of the former First Lady.
First, “Clinton fatigue” remains a factor in the current political environment. As the media moved toward non-stop Clinton news coverage, based on her emerging dominance in the Democratic Presidential contest, voters started to remember why they tired of the last Clinton Presidency. There was always something, and it was tiring. As a result, upon being reminded of the sheer political energy required for a Clinton Presidency, voters took a deep breath, and blinked.
Second, the possibility of another divisive “Clinton Presidency” is worrisome for voters interested in a leader who could unite America. Senator Clinton’s campaign challenge is difficult. No matter what political strategy her team adopts, the fact is that a sizable number of Americans will never support her - either as a Presidential candidate or as an elected President. Yet, Americans are ready for someone who can bring Americans together, not cement the political divisions that have dominated the political landscape over the last several years. Of course, this only worsens the “Clinton fatigue” factor. Most Americans are not too excited about the possibility of at least four more years of brass knuckles political street fighting in Washington, D.C.
Finally, Hillary Clinton is not Bill Clinton. President Bill Clinton was a smooth communicator who felt comfortable conveying emotion in the context of a raging political debate. Senator Hillary Clinton is anything but comfortable with communicating emotion - real or feigned. Hence, she has had to find her own way in connecting with voters. In prepared remarks in response to anticipated questions, she can effectively say something without saying anything. This is a learned science. On the other hand, she has yet to master the art of communicating matters of the heart.
When confronted with the reality of a Hillary Clinton Presidency, the polling numbers reflecting the mood of America were not only fluid, they were downright soft. These softening numbers were not the result of surging Democratic opponents. So far, no other Democratic presidential candidate has demonstrated the ability to compete in a head to head competition with the former First Lady. Instead, the numbers confirm that the only strategy yielding any sign of meaningful hope for any of Senator Clinton’s Democratic opponents has been to focus on making the race about one thing and one thing only - Senator Hillary Clinton.
But then, Senator Clinton knows all of this. She knows that she must win in spite of, not because of, the first Clinton Presidency. She knows that she must fight every step of the way for the right to fight every step of the way. She knows that she is not the politician that her husband was and she has probably never wanted to be the politician that he was.
For next year, Senator Hillary Clinton must win a series of election contests culminating in the General Election in which the most formidable opponent she faces is Hillary Clinton. In the end, the only candidate that can beat Hillary Clinton is Hillary Clinton. As the polls reflect, when the only issue is Hillary Clinton, the race is still up in the air.