How to Go After Hillary

Some politicians are inadvertently generous to their opposition, graciously sinking themselves so others don't have to. John Kerry donned spandex waterwear and kiteboarded. Dan Quayle misspelled "potato." Howard Dean emitted what may have been a roar. But Democratic presidential front runner Hillary Clinton is not that kind of candidate. There's a reason she hasn't lost an election since she ran for president of the student council in high school. She does her homework; she doesn't do gaffes. Anyone running against her would be wise not to count on an implosion. So if she won't do herself in, how can she be beaten? We asked those who've run against her for lessons they learned trying to compete against such a formidable and careful candidate.

1. Give Susan Sarandon a call. When Jonathan Tasini ran against Sen. Clinton in New York's Democratic Senate primary in 2006, he was surprised not to get more help from Hollywood, considering how antiwar he was. He says he was told that although some in the entertainment community liked his position on the Iraq War and didn't want her to be president, they were reluctant to take her on. Back in New York, several Democratic elected officials privately encouraged Tasini, but refused to be seen in photos with him. One even looked around to see if anyone was watching before talking to Tasini at an event. Sarandon, the activist actress, wasn't intimidated, though. She came right out and endorsed him.

2. Keep the electricity going. Mike Long, chairman of the Conservative Party in New York, says that when Sen. Clinton walks into a room, her star power creates a glow in the air. "But as she performs, the light gets dimmer and dimmer," he says. "It's like a broken wire that doesn't deliver light to the other side of the room."

3. Stay behind your podium. When Rick Lazio invaded Mrs. Clinton's personal space during one of their debates in the 2000 Senate race, he made her look vulnerable. Lazio learned the hard way that a vulnerable Mrs. Clinton is a popular Mrs. Clinton. "Oh, do I remember the first focus group after that happened," says Bill Dal Col, Lazio's campaign manager. "[They said] 'he reminds me of my ex-husband.'"

4. Don't lose Page 10. Jeanine Pirro's campaign for Clinton's Senate seat in 2006 never recovered after she lost part of her announcement speech. As the cameras rolled, she let 32 excruciating seconds of silence tick by while she looked for it. Not good when your opponent exudes competence. (Pirro, who declined to comment for this story, has since left politics and is pursuing a TV career.)

5. Study Mike Gravel. Every candidate with something to lose sounds canned in the debates. Tasini sees an opportunity for someone to stand out as genuine—and attract voters—by sprinkling in some of the freewheeling, popped-his-lid style of the former Alaskan senator. Well, maybe keep the lid partially on.