Clinton Cracking?

Actually I found it a little bizzare that the New York Times headline read "Laughing Matters in Clinton Campaign." Like the case where Rather cried on the Late Night show, I feel like reporters are picking on the emotions of people under pressure.

According to the article Clinton had just finished a serious speech about abortion rights and tried to find common ground with her listeners by connecting woman to woman. However, offstage she was immediately grilled by reporters about her own pro- choice decision. Thats when she " let loose a hearty belly laugh." To the reporters who thought they had missed a joke, it seemed that this time her chuckle was basically an eye roll.

Hilary's friends supported Clinton by saying it was her own sense of humor but was probably too sarcastic to share with the general public. After hearing both sides I'm not really sure about the origination of the laugh, but I am starting to find my self feeling sorry for the candidates. It makes you realize the type of political attacks and criticsm these people are under at every moment of their lives. She is the leading democratic candidate right now and I'm sure she has moments where she needs to maintain composure without seeming brittle, defensive, or weak.

However what the Times had to say was pretty interesting. After analyzing her other "cackles" they concluded that there were certain times where she was able to force it or fight it off. To me however it seems like maybe her agents are trying to sway her serious reputation to show the public that she really is a "joyful" person.

Like me, Clinton advisers themselves think the "concentration on Clinton's laughter is a little laughable." According to the site, the advisers are "bemused and irritated by questions that say Clinton is less then genuine" - such as whether her use of laughter is used to avoid or undercut a particularly controversial or difficult question.

After laughing and then being confronted at a news conference, Hilary said, " You guys keep telling me to lighten up,be fun. Now I get a little funny, and I'm being psychoanalyzed."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/28/us/politics/28web-healy.html?8dpc

In another article by the Washington Post, there were several jabs made by other presidential candidates but none by Clinton. According to the article she "smothered every question with a blanket of condition responses, so reluctant to take a stand that she frusterated Tim Russert, the designated questioner."

The Granite Star Poll released before the debate that Clinton drew 43 percent of the support, with Obama, Edwards, and Richardson trailing with 20, 12, and six percent respectively. However, I'm curious to see if Clinton can maintain her lead without "making waves."

To me it seems that Clinton is just trying to coast right now and ride out her lead, boost her personality ratings and stray away from anything too controversial that could jeperadize her lead in the race. Perhaps thats a good game to be playing. It is evident she is playing defense and taking safe stands. Maybe thats a good strategy for her right now... but it could also be pretty risky!! As the Post headline exemplifies, Clinton is playing "dodgeball." Time will tell if it will take her through the next couple of months still as the top dog.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/28/AR2007092801341.html