Congenital Lawyer Redux

Today's rapidly developing third rail (at least in some states) is supporting driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, as favored by New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer. When Tim Russert asked Clinton her view of it, she claimed it was a "gotcha" question, as if he had asked for the name of the president of Tunisia. As of last week, driver's licenses for illegals is for Democrats what the State Children's Health Insurance Program is for Republicans—an "80-20" issue, meaning they see a Mack truck (in the form of 80 percent of the public) bearing down on them if they get on the wrong side of the debate.

The issue that hurt Clinton the most last week was least relevant to the public. While the availability of the Clinton Library papers is not going to determine anyone's vote, it gave Obama an opening to tap old fears about her. He made the reasonable point that she shouldn't brag about her White House "experience" without releasing the evidence to prove it.

In truth, the Clintons have been much better than the Bushes on releasing documents. But once again, as she did in her famous "pretty in pink" press conference in 1994, she made you think something was there when there probably wasn't. Houdini in reverse.

Despite her debate stumble, the Hillary Clinton I followed around New Hampshire last week is a much-improved model from the old days. It felt as if she were already the incumbent, with tightly choreographed events and a message that is poll tested but also adroitly customized to her personal story: a new anecdote about an arrogant Harvard law professor telling her 37 years ago that "Harvard already has enough women" is particularly compelling for starry-eyed young women in the audience.

Clinton was relaxed, at least mildly amusing and deft at drawing on her status as a history-making woman without sounding like a strident feminist. These are compensatory strengths for her frequent failure to answer direct questions directly. But politicians, like ordinary mortals, only change around the edges. A lawyer she was, a lawyer she will be.

© 2007