Hillary Clinton has not formally announced a run for the White House, but already, in public appearances, her style suggests she has learned from mistakes made during her failed 2008 presidential bid,
The New York Times reports.
Her newly drawn inner circle is focused on resurrecting her strengths and tossing her previous gaffes, both "tactical and personal," the Times noted, as she seeks to present a warmer and more relatable side to voters — a side she will likely need.
"If she runs, it will be different," her spokesman Nick Merrill told the Times.
Political observers are looking for a reinvention from Clinton, whose powerful name but heavy baggage will both help her and make her vulnerable should she make her candidacy official.
She has a chance to build on the knowledge from her previous efforts, some say.
"Was it the best managed campaign? Of course not, they lost," said Democratic strategist Donna Brazile of Clinton in 2008. “But what lessons will they apply to the future if she decides to run?"
Clinton must formidably make her case as to why she's right to serve as president, rather than run on her status as a female political star or that "inevitability" of her seeking the nation's highest office, the Times said.
"Inevitability is not a message," former U.S. Ambassador Terry Shumaker told the Times. "It’s not something you can run on."
While many are in "will she or won't she" mode, a new poll from NBC News/Wall Street Journal found Clinton earning tepid support from likely voters. While 50 percent said they'd support another presidential run, 48 said they would oppose it,
Politico reported.
At least one Obama insider agrees that Clinton must establish a firmer rationale for running,
The Hill reported.
Appearing on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" show, former Obama political adviser David Axelrod was blunt.
"What happened in 2008 was that Hillary’s candidacy got out in front of any rationale for it, and the danger is that that’s happening again,"Axelrod said. "You hear Ready for Hillary; it’s like, 'Ready for what?' "
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