Hillary '08 and the "Likes People" Theory

I'd read the article "But Why Can't Hillary Win?" in Slate recently and generally agreed with Jacob Weisberg's assessment of Hillary's chances and her potentially crippling negative - that she's not likeable (enough).

But for years I've had a different take on Senator Clinton's dynamic. I say it's the converse: that Hillary doesn't like people enough.

I have this theory (which I think history supports, except maybe in a few cases - Nixon's?), that the elections for president are won by the person who seems to like people the most (and as a corollary, is "likeable" him or herself) - meaning a person who doesn't treat "the people" like cattle. In other words, no CPAs, no techno geeks (even too much wonking is alienating, MGore and Kerry), no angry mavericks (even Teddy Roosevelt got too Deaniac-ish and went Bull Moose on the masses).

Sympathetic cheerleaders who stick to their guns win. And an optimistic charisma (or even naivete) helps. Now don't get me wrong, an opponent seen as "weak" can probably tip the scales either way. So there are other criteria involved, but I'll stick with my "likes people" theory as being paramount.

I've been saying for quite some time that Ms. Clinton probably won't become president because she simply doesn't like people enough. She exudes a Demmed down policy wonk, though with more than the usual spite and spit. So the likeability factor runs both ways.

And this relates to GWB, the nation's current choice for president.

Enough people/voters mistakenly thought (and some may still think) that Mr. Bush really, really, sincerely, genuinely likes people, and they are partly right but majorly wrong. Mr. Bush likes his Friends/Capital & Corporate Club Cronies. For the record, ye hapless judges of character, that's not the same as liking People, as in WE the People.

As for Margaret Thatcher, she was the "Iron Lady," not the "Dragon Lady." There's a difference there. Even the sound of one's voice makes a difference, and Hillary's oratory ain't exactly patrician or matronly. It's an "ouch!" It might have backbone, but it's got bite.

It ain't happenin'.

Mrs. Clinton makes a worthy senator for the great state of New York. Best leave it at that.