Understanding Hillary
The summer after my sophomore year of college, I went to Air Force ROTC field training at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Since it was only a twenty minute drive from home, my father dropped me off – unlike almost all of the other cadets, who flew into the civilian airport and were transported by bus to the base.
Being a bit overwhelmed nonetheless, my first recollection was of being in the room I would share with three other cadets, looking at the contents of my open suitcase, when a CTO – Cadet Training Officer – strolled into the room. Even though I recognized him as a CTO, I merely looked up and smiled and said, “Hi!” It was only when he glared back at me that I realized I’d screwed up.
A few seconds later, I was standing at attention and spitting out “Yes sir!” left and right as I’d been trained to do. I’d found my game face and was ready to play.
Until, for some reason, he softened. He commented on how he hoped I didn’t lose that smile over the next twenty-eight days.
And then, my game face fell off. Tears welled as I answered, “Yes sir!”
Puzzled, he asked, “Why are you crying? I’m not yelling at you anymore.”
I replied, “Sir, the yelling doesn’t bother me. But please don’t be nice to me.”
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I don’t know if Hillary’s breaking voice and brimming eyes were genuine, but I can understand it if they were. Sometimes it’s harder to keep that game face on straight when people are nice, when they show compassion under unexpected circumstances.
Check out my profile of Fred Thompson over at The Parental is Political. Hurry, before he’s gone!
Plus, some great kids’ stuff over at the Scholastic News Election 2008 website – resources for your budding politicos!
January 9th, 2008 at 9:26 am
I can so relate. Insightful, my friend.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:13 am
And what do you think of the claims today that that moment helped her win? I’m not sure how I feel about that.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I liked this.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:22 am
I didn’t think that was fair – mainly because it unfairly discredits the intelligence of NH voters, particularly female voters. There’s more to the basis of the votes we cast than the candidates’ likeability or capacity for human emotion.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I was having a tough day the other day and was having a hard time keeping it together…but I was succeeding. Until a neighbour spied me and gently asked if I was ok. Then the dam blew open and the waterworks started.
I so understand this.
But I’m not sure it helped Hilary win that primary.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I don’t know if those tears were genuine either (my colleague who’s been on the campaign trail believes it was staged), but I can certainly believe they were. I have no doubt however, that her people probably talked to her many times after Iowa to say that she needs to show a more “human” side. It certainly didn’t hurt her in N.H.!
January 9th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
What a wonderfully perceptive analysis. It makes perfect sense. This is going to be one hell of a month – I suspect by February 6 all will be finished so we should have our fun writing about it now. Great thinking little mouse.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I’m the same way. If you’re mean or rude I’ll get mad, but if you’re nice to me when I’m feeling fragile, I will immediately burst into tears.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I do that too. Cry when people are nice to me.
January 9th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Interesting.
I kind of do that too – cry when people are attentive to me.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I think the emotion was genuine. All of the candidates are exhausted. When I’m completely drained, one kind OR mean word and I can dissolve into tears. I get it. But I don’t think anyone changed their vote based on that moment. We just got to see the real person, not the political candidate.
January 10th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Great post and so true. For what it’s worth (not much) I don’t think she faked that moment – she’s not that good an actress.
January 10th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
That’s a great story. people who are so quick to condemn her “acting” would be wise to remember that sometimes um, humans have feelings. (Crazy, right?)
January 11th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I never thought of it that way, that Hillary was reacting to another human being’s compassion. Excellent insight.
January 12th, 2008 at 5:39 am
On my first day at West Point, after getting off a bus with a bunch of other “New Cadets” (as we were called), an upperclassman approached me and said, sternly, “New Cadet. What is your name?”
I remember looking up, smiling, extending my hand, and saying, “Hi. I’m Ruth.”
Didn’t go over quite so well.