Can Hillary overcome her likability Gap.

[illinoisprogressive]

But there is some evidence to suggest that even old news can still hurt. The Hillary detractors' image of the candidate—secretive, controlling and paranoid—springs from the way she acted while under attack in the '90s. In a Gallup poll released last week, 50 percent said their opinion of the former First Lady was unfavorable. (Forty-six percent said they had a favorable view.) The "negative" is unprecedented for a non-incumbent presidential candidate—neither John Kerry nor Al Gore got such a high unfavorable rating in the Gallup poll at any point in their unsuccessful presidential bids. Clinton's camp notes that other recent polls have not shown unfavorables as high as the Gallup number and says it is confident her favorables will increase as the campaign goes on. But the real problem many Democratic voters have with Clinton is the sneaking suspicion that with so much of the country against her, she can never win a general election. Clinton's fate may well come down to her ability to deal with a vexing question: what is it about me that so many people don't like?

The answer has eluded both Clinton and her husband throughout their three decades in the arena. They began their national political lives with a miscalculation—the idea that America was ready for a new kind of empowered, ambitious political spouse who would be "two for the price of one," in Bill's phrase. The country, however, didn't take to Hillary, especially after she bragged that she'd pursued a career when she could have "stayed home to bake cookies and have teas."

Snip

But Clinton's problems go beyond perfecting her personal touch. In polls, she lags significantly with independents, a group that mistrusts establishment candidates. Independents could prove crucial in early-primary states with open contests like California and South Carolina. In New Hampshire, where independent crossover voters have historically helped fresh-faced candidates upset front runners, Barack Obama could compete with John McCain and Rudy Giuliani for anti-establishment votes. "You're out there trying to create a sense of electability and your negatives are 52 percent," says one Democratic consultant, who asked not to be named questioning Clinton's strengths. "That's a tough case to make."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19140629/site/newsweek/

[Zenlitened]

1. My hunch is that she can. - n/t

[Kingstree]

2. NO

[aquart]

3. George was "likable."

Why don't we all just vote for the one we want?

[clydefrand]

4. Secretive, controlling and paranoid....hmmmmmmmmmmm

Don't we have one of those already in power? No way can Hillary be like that scumbag. I like her and I will vote for her if given the chance. We need someone who is smart, who can lead, and knows how to bring this country back on its feet from the condition it's in now.

I think too many men and women are afraid of a strong, smart woman. It's time we have a change in this country and I think she is what we need.

[SaveElmer]

5. Of course she can...nt

[jefferson_dem]

6. ...not.

It may be sad...but it's true.

[JeffR]

7. Sure, why not?

She's already overcome her Kiss-My-Ring Gap with quite a number of people on this board whom I'd be inclined to believe are smarter than they've been acting.

[snowbear]

8. She can on progressive political forums... in the voting booth though?

Try crunching the numbers.

I say no. No way.

But she has her followers here who definitely feel differently than I do though.

[Double T]

9. Does anybody truly 'like' politicians?

[ElizabethDC]

10. Sure.

I wouldn't be supporting her if I thought otherwise.

[ronnykmarshall]

22. and YOU'RE young and hip!!

Imagine THAT!

[sandnsea]

11. Yeah, she needs to tell the truth

Funny, she needs to do the very thing she's most afraid to do. Be herself.

[mitchtv]

12. Only if Democrats think for themselves

and stop trashing other Dems , and buying into the MSM "wisdom". It doe her little good to win the primary if fellow Dems have already written the GOP commercials. Behold: Phil Angelides

[KurtNYC]

13. sorry but what a bunch of crap

The answer has eluded both Clinton and her husband throughout their three decades in the arena. They began their national political lives with a miscalculation—the idea that America was ready for a new kind of empowered, ambitious political spouse who would be "two for the price of one," in Bill's phrase

that is laughable -- they ran for president in 1992 and won. WOn again, even bigger in 1996, Hillary Clinton wins a Senate seat in NY and she had never lived here. But to MSNBC that is "miscalculation" ?!

And "likeability" is a metric used in junior high school cliques and beauty pagents. People have strong opinions about the Clintons -- that isn't news. She has withstood the attacks, there is nothing new to throw at Hillary Clinton. There are millions of Americans who want a woman president and there are millions who want the Clintons back in the whitehouse. MSNBC are the ones "miscalculating" if they really don't believe that Hillary & Bill Clinton can turn out the vote.

The whole piece is like a flashback to 1996.

[johncoby2]

14. No. People are too stupid.

Including democrats who continue to repeat the far rights comments about our candidates.

[w4rma]

15. There is no amout of money that will enale her to overcome that. (nt)

[Tellurian]

16. Another Tribute piece to Sen Clinton...

who was it that said, the M$M is soft and coddling Hillary?

wheres my list ...

[mckeown1128]

17. I highly doubt hillary will.

be able to overcome her likability gap.

[ooga booga]

25. I'm not sure it'll matter.....

I'm coming around to the notion that in this post-Bush election competence (or the appearance of it) will count more than likeability -- that and being a Democrat. The electorate seems to be primed to elect a Democrat -- maybe ANY Democrat -- as a kneejerk rejection to Dubya.

Apparently, Dick Morris and friends will launch a film about Hillary just before the start of the primaries. I don't think it'll be able to derail her campaign.

By the way, the competence issue is somewhat more troublesome for Barak Obama. There are a lot of people out there (and I am one) who are not convinced that he's ready to take up the job of President of the United States. I think he's got lots of potential, but I don't think he's ready for it at this point. Sadly, Dubya has demonstrated just how badly everything can get off track if the job goes to someone who can't handle it. I think Barak Obama on his WORST DAY would easily be better than Dubya on his BEST DAY. I just think Dubya has made us all more skittish on the competence and readiness issue and that Obama will have more of an uphill battle because of it.

[MGKrebs]

18. Does it matter?

[mckeown1128]

20. To get elected it matters....

[thatsrightimirish]

19. I think she can

People can change their minds. An example is Bush once having approval ratings in the 90's and now it is in the 20's. I think this is an election where people are actually looking at qualifications and not a beer buddy.

[churchofreality]

21. She can and will. nt

[Arugula Latte]

23. Her efforts always come across as fake.

So, overall, no, I don't think she can.

If she is the nominee we are screwed.

[tammywammy]

24. I don't think so

[loyalsister]

26. I wonder what kinds of reasons dominate

these polls. I'm sure that there are a number of reasons. Simple and complex.

I have heard the perception that the only reason she stood by Bill through the Lewinsky scandal was because she knew she could get to the presidency if she had him on her side.
IOW The marriage was just a bridge to the presidency she didn't want to burn.

I don't agree with that assessment, but the perception is there, the argument can be made, and it bothers some.