Hillary – she’s damned either way. In a recent New York Times Op-Ed piece, David Brooks explored why Hillary’s numbers in the “dislike” column continue to creep upward (her orange-tinged adversary has similarly high dislike numbers, but we know painfully well what causes those).
While not politically in step with Brooks, I did write about his book, “The Social Animal” (to the horror of a progressive reader). But in this Op-Ed Brooks asks the same question I wonder about all the time. How did we get to this vicious place where so much venom pours on the head of a woman who has devoted her life to public service, performed with grace and calm in trying situations, possesses the experience and knowledge to sort through our problems, and is respected around the world?
Brooks avoids the gender elephant, but posits the dislike is driven by Hillary Clinton’s failure to reveal herself as a person with interests beyond policy and government. She’s seen as someone who works too much and is overly serious. Though praised as warm and loving by people who really know her, Brooks says that the public knows nothing about Hillary’s free time activities. (Given how desperate this election is, what free time I wonder).
Golf or basketball games (anything involving balls either manipulated or watched) seem legitimate for the free time of other public figures, but a little yoga, a walk in a garden, FaceTime with a granddaughter, figuring out a present for a special person would surely draw ridicule as too feminine or too something negative. Apparently the fact that Hillary revealed she eats a hot red pepper each day to ward off colds was mocked as phony.
A therapist once told us that we like people for their flaws. But even if Hillary got self-deprecating and told stories about her flaws – and you know she has them – that would somehow backfire.
I hope she has a secret vice – watches “Nashville” or “The Good Wife” late at night to escape the relentlessness of this campaign. But if she reads briefings in bed, that’s OK with me.
It must lift her spirits when she receives photos of her granddaughter from her daughter, she seems to relish being a granny. And who better to care about where the nation goes (for people on the left), specially when that loving mother and granny is a respected senator, successful Secretary of State, and an incredibly hard working, smart, experienced liberal (she seems to recognize more than some these days that change takes time and negotiation to accomplish).
I don’t know how she keeps it up, but I wish her well – all the way to the White House!
her spirits rose... 
I wish her well too. The next five months are going to be tense, that’s for sure. And even though Brooks avoids the gender issue, I think it’s huge. I remember when Hillary as first lady said she “didn’t bake cookies.” At least I think that was her. And maybe it’s not because she’s a woman, but because she’s not the “right kind” of woman – the kind who answers tricky questions with a giggle and a word like “lipstick.” Thanks for this post. I wish all of the voters in the country were as thoughtful as you.
Well said, Katy! And, yes, Carol, Hilary took a lot of flak for the cookie remark. Too many people like to see women cute, subservient, and in the kitchen. I wish her all the best — she’a a little too far to the right to suit me but I think that she understands compromise. I’ll happily support her if she’s the nominee!