Clinton's next task
WHAT HAPPENED to the voice Hillary Clinton said she found in New Hampshire?
She lost it, with serious consequences for her White House hopes. She has a tiny window of time to get it back, beginning with tonight's debate.
Last week, Barack Obama beat Clinton 2-to-1 in South Carolina, gaining momentum and exquisitely timed endorsements from Caroline Kennedy and Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts.
Some Clinton supporters are castigating Ted Kennedy for endorsing Obama. The New York Chapter of the National Organization for Women went overboard, calling it the "ultimate betrayal."
Clinton has endured much sexism over the course of the presidential campaign, but this time, she undercut her own cause. She turned her campaign over to husband Bill Clinton, an angry, divisive tone and the unwelcome prospect of a co-presidency. Together, the Clintons squandered the comeback win the candidate earned in New Hampshire, mostly with her own sweat and overanalyzed tears.
In New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton connected with people and reminded them of the good economic times of the Clinton years. Women backed her, but voters overall viewed her as the most qualified candidate.
As she savored her Granite State victory, Clinton commanded the spotlight, framed by a cluster of cheering young women behind her. Her husband, the former president, was off to the side - but unfortunately, not for long.
Bill Clinton edged back onto center stage, often with red face and squinty eyes. His complaints about Obama's record and the media's coverage of the Democratic race picked up steam after New Hampshire; and especially in South Carolina, he took on the job of attack dog.
As Obama noted during a Jan. 21 debate, "I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes." On primary day, Bill Clinton worked to diminish Obama's victory, observing that "Jesse Jackson won South Carolina twice, in '84 and '88." What the Clintons tossed at Obama is nothing compared with what he will face from Republicans if he is the nominee. But the negativity hurt Hillary Clinton's effort.
Bill Clinton's temper and tone reminded people of everything they disliked about the Clinton years. Hillary Clinton bears responsibility for it, just as any candidate bears responsibility for the words and actions of campaign surrogates. It's up to her to change the dynamic, just as she did in New Hampshire, after finishing third in Iowa.
With John Edwards out of the race, tonight's debate in California puts Clinton and Obama alone on the stage, one-on-one, for the nation to judge.
Clinton has an opportunity to do three things - show that she is the candidate with the best ideas for the economy, the housing crisis, and healthcare; show an ability to connect with voters; and remind viewers that one of the two people on that stage could be the next president of the United States. Who do voters want that person to be?
The answer should have nothing to do with Bill Clinton or Michelle Obama. It's not about Caroline or Ted Kennedy. It's about who is best prepared for the job and all the pressure that goes with it. Hillary Clinton made that case in New Hampshire, and won it with the right mixture of humanity, humor, and intelligence in a high-stakes debate right before primary day.
Clinton faces another tough debate challenge and a tough challenge generally, when it comes to slowing Obama's momentum as Democratic voters in 22 states across the country get ready to go to the polls next Tuesday.
America is getting to know Obama better. With each appearance on the national stage, people hear a gifted orator speaking with grace and optimism about the future. It feels good to think about turning the corner on race in this country, and electing the first black president. But there should be a way to remind people it could also feel good to elect the best qualified candidate who happens to be a woman.
Clinton accomplished that in the small, retail setting of New Hampshire. She now has to duplicate her success on a larger stage, in a tight time frame.
Something to think about as she tackles the task:
A cackle isn't necessary, but a smile wouldn't hurt.
Avoid any sniff of co-presidency with Bill.
And, as for that voice, find it and use it or get ready to lose the nomination.
Joan Vennochi's e-mail address is vennochi@globe.com.
