2008 Woodie Awards
Feeling the pressure, Clinton must learn to take the heat
Emily Contillo
Issue date: 11/20/07 Section: Opinion
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The increasingly aggressive campaigns launched against Senator Hillary Clinton by her fellow candidates have led many within her campaign to cry foul. Following an unsatisfactory performance at the October debate, Clinton was quick to declare during last week's debate in Las Vegas that she felt she was being "personally attacked" by her opponents.
The reason Clinton is not annoyed or frustrated because she feels she is being treated unfairly. Rather, she is upset that her presidential campaign has reached a stage in which she can no longer control every aspect of her media coverage and her image -- or to the extent that she apparently was able to in preceding months.
Senator Barack Obama, a fellow Democratic candidate and dubbed by the media as Hillary Clinton's most challenging competition, (or at least in their polls), has been the most persistent with referring to Clinton's "textbook campaign."
He continues to promote his own image as a political outsider. However, there is certainly truth behind his assertions. The influence and expertise offered by her husband cannot be overstated, and Clinton has successfully packed her staff with seasoned veterans.
The real worry felt by many of her Democratic rivals is over the control Hillary's campaign has been able to hold. Her opponents, and to some extent members of the media, are perplexed and put off by the notion that this polarizing political figure has been able to redefine herself, mainly by dominating the images of her which are fed to the public.
About two months ago, it was revealed that Hillary Clinton's team was able to convince GQ Magazine not to publish a lengthy, unflattering article about her. They did so by threatening to end the magazine's access to her husband.
And about two weeks ago, Hillary's camp was embarrassingly caught planting questions at a town hall meeting, leaving many to wonder whether she is unable or unwilling to answer real questions from real voters.
The reason Clinton is not annoyed or frustrated because she feels she is being treated unfairly. Rather, she is upset that her presidential campaign has reached a stage in which she can no longer control every aspect of her media coverage and her image -- or to the extent that she apparently was able to in preceding months.
Senator Barack Obama, a fellow Democratic candidate and dubbed by the media as Hillary Clinton's most challenging competition, (or at least in their polls), has been the most persistent with referring to Clinton's "textbook campaign."
He continues to promote his own image as a political outsider. However, there is certainly truth behind his assertions. The influence and expertise offered by her husband cannot be overstated, and Clinton has successfully packed her staff with seasoned veterans.
The real worry felt by many of her Democratic rivals is over the control Hillary's campaign has been able to hold. Her opponents, and to some extent members of the media, are perplexed and put off by the notion that this polarizing political figure has been able to redefine herself, mainly by dominating the images of her which are fed to the public.
About two months ago, it was revealed that Hillary Clinton's team was able to convince GQ Magazine not to publish a lengthy, unflattering article about her. They did so by threatening to end the magazine's access to her husband.
And about two weeks ago, Hillary's camp was embarrassingly caught planting questions at a town hall meeting, leaving many to wonder whether she is unable or unwilling to answer real questions from real voters.
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