Comments on: Understanding Hillary

By: Ruth Dynamite

Ruth Dynamite — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:39:38 +0000

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.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:13:55 +0000

I never thought of it that way, that Hillary was reacting to another human being’s compassion. Excellent insight.

By: Mom101

Mom101 — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:19:13 +0000

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?)

By: Don Mills Diva

Don Mills Diva — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:38:23 +0000

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.

By: the mama bird diaries

the mama bird diaries — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 04:55:12 +0000

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.

By: maggie

maggie — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:08:16 +0000

Interesting.

I kind of do that too – cry when people are attentive to me.

By: Catizhere

Catizhere — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:58:45 +0000

I do that too. Cry when people are nice to me.

By: Stimey

Stimey — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:25:26 +0000

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.

By: Cynthia Samuels

Cynthia Samuels — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:44:16 +0000

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.

By: Esther

Esther — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:57:17 +0000

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.!