Before you read this, let it be known that I am not an Obama partisan, nor am I an anybody partisan. The first time that Clinton cried, right before her upset in New Hampshire, I thought it was a genuine display of emotion on her part. I wasn't sure if it would help her or hurt her in her drive to make the comeback, but I certainly didn't frown upon her almost-tears.
So when I heard today that Clinton cried on the campaign trail yet again today, I was more than a little bit skeptical.
Per CNN's Political Ticker:
(CNN) – Hillary Clinton became teary-eyed during an event at Yale University Monday — a moment that harkened back to her much talked-about display of emotion on the eve of the New Hampshire Primary.
[...]
Clinton's eyes appeared to grow misty during the introduction, and when it was her turn to speak she said, "Well, I said I would not tear up; already we're not exactly on the path."
To which I wonder, will Clinton cry every time she's down in this campaign? Will it work every time? Will she try to pull this shit against the Republican?
For that final question, I would answer that if she does, she will be almost certain to lose.
Don't get me wrong, I do not believe that Hillary Clinton is a cold, emotionless automaton. What I do know is that the perception of her is that she is calculating, and that every action she takes has some role in winning an election. If this becomes a pattern, or if people begin to view her emotion as such, she will have a big problem winning in November.
And on top of it all, what scares me the most is that I, a definite Clinton supporter come November (provided that she is the Democratic nominee), am already skeptical of her displays of emotion. Granted, this is only the second time this has happened, and it may be the last, but the circumstances are too peculiarly similar to those just before New Hampshire for me to take her seriously this time. Can you imagine what on-the-fence indies will think when they hear about this? The right wing noise machine will have a field day with this.
Or maybe this will work in her favor, and she will again be praised for a rare display of emotion, and more people will vote for her. Who knows.