Word is there's panic in the Hillary Clinton camp.
But why?
Hopefully the Clinton campaign isn't fretting over the Republican voter who asked John McCain how to beat the "witch" (the real word rhymes with it) or over John Edwards' accusations that Hillary is playing the "gender card." Yes, it is true that Barack Obama is working on closing the gap in Iowa, but will it stick? Hillary is strong. That's why she's been able to overcome the attacks leveled at her from both Republicans and Democrats.
"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. And I feel very comfortable in the kitchen," she said in the Nov. 15 CNN debate. No one's expecting Hillary to back down, because she won't, but there are two things we can take from her quote and from the most recent debate.
Hillary Clinton has two sides-that of Hillary and that of Mrs. Clinton.
Hillary goes tit for tat with the "boys' club" while Mrs. Clinton puts forth policy, lays out agendas and rallies America behind her. Hillary is not afraid to mix it up in the kitchen while Mrs. Clinton asserts her gender more subtly. Hillary will deal with foreign policy while Mrs. Clinton will keep a watchful eye over the domestic front. Hillary wears pantsuits. Mrs. Clinton wears pink.
The kitchen reference is something Hillary would say. In contrast, in response to similar attacks, Mrs. Clinton said, "And I understand, very well, that people are not attacking me because I'm a woman; they're attacking me because I'm ahead."
This dual identity-this Hillary and Mrs. Clinton dichotomy-is like a one-two punch. It'll be enough to push her into the White House next fall.
The appeal of the Hillary side is that of her strength. She can probably bench-press more than Obama. In all seriousness, though, the principal duty of the president is to protect the country. And Hillary can do that. The toughness that Hillary exhibits when she fends off the constant criticism from her attackers only shows us a preview of the robust stance she will take against anyone who threatens the American livelihood.
Hillary spoke about what she would do about the crisis in Pakistan and how she'd negotiate with President Pervez Musharraf in the last debate. She said that she called the White House and asked them to send an envoy to Pakistan long ago and they did not do it. Needless to say, now, they're doing it.
It's fine that some voters think a male president would be stronger and have a tougher foreign policy agenda than Clinton's. But give Obama a year in the White House, and voters won't think it's so fine anymore. Recently, Obama tried to disparage Hillary's ability to deal with foreign policy by mentioning his childhood background.
"I spent four years living overseas when I was a child living in Southeast Asia," he said. "If you don't understand these cultures then it's very hard for you to make good foreign policy decisions. Foreign policy is all about judgment."
Hillary's response-typical resilient, witty Hillary:
"With all due respect," she told a crowd in Iowa. "I don't think living in a foreign country between the ages of six and 10 is foreign policy experience."
Then there's Mrs. Clinton. Mrs. Clinton works overtime to dispel the feelings that Hillary is divisive, unelectable, "radioactive." Mrs. Clinton's supporters are lower and middle-class women, white moderate women and black voters. Mrs. Clinton proposes comprehensive health care plans and protects the American middle class with good schools, salaries, retirement plans and after-school programs. She resonates with the middle class and minorities.
Mrs. Clinton defends herself by equating her Democratic opponents (read John Edwards) with people like Karl Rove.
"And I don't mind taking hits on my record on issues, but when somebody starts throwing mud, at least we can hope that it's both accurate and not out of the Republican playbook," she said at the last debate. Americans are familiar with Mrs. Clinton. They've known her for quite some time now. She has a history with America, whether it's through former President Bill Clinton or her belief that everyone in America should have a basic health care plan. These are things that everyone knows.
But voters shouldn't get too familiar with Mrs. Clinton. Because just when they get comfortable, Hillary will throw them a curveball.
Aria Branch is a Trinity junior. Her column runs every other Tuesday.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.