A multi-tasked assignment for Clinton. Humility the attitude, hope and fulfillment the message.
Hillary needs to project a sense of humility. After ten losses in a row, that shouldn't be that hard to do! She needs to be conversational, not confrontational. She has an hour-and-a-half, plenty of time as it's a 2-candidate debate. (Say, what's happened to Mike Gravel? Never mind.) She should narrate her record of legislative and other achievements in the context of hope and fulfillment. As an example, she was very active in child welfare issues in the 1970s. Well, guess what, those kids are now in their 30s. What was the hope that guided her to that endeavor? What results did her efforts produce? Could she name one kid whom she tutored or mentored and what is that person doing now? A one-sentence line about "hope" should preference each reference. A one-sentence line about "hope fulfilled" should conclude it. She draws on Barack's strength - hope and change - and uses it to her advantage. Hillary Clinton becomes the candidate of hope fulfilled and change accomplished. Also, she should narrate the legislation she's sponsored or co-sponsored and mention her voting record. Then ask Barack to mention his. Hillary has a built in sneaky advantage as she's served 7 years in the Senate compared to Barack's 3. Let Barack's own narration of his limited Senate history address the "experience" question.
Focus should also be on the Texas and Ohio primaries but let's not forget Vermont and Rhode Island, who also vote on March 4 (Also, March 4 was Massachusetts' original primary date before it was changed to Super Tuesday. We coulda been king (or queen) makers!) Her research staff should have dug up stuff about what's on voters' mind in those 4 states. She should reference those issues and communities in her responses. The goal is to win Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island.
Only time an attack on Barack makes any sense is if it prompts a hot-headed or ill-advised comment from him. Suggest either Hillary or Barack save that tactic until they debate McCain as the man's short-fused temper is legendary though not much in evidence this year - at least so far. Barack is an African-American and African-Americans continue to be dumped on every day by the white majority. How's it look for the upper-middle-class white chick from the leafy Chicago suburbs, the nation's former First Lady to go on the offensive - without herself being offensive. If Obama were a meanie, maybe. But he's not. And Hillary's reputation fo having a chilly, formal and distant personality and imperial manner would make her a bully for bashing Barack. And, if we're humble as we perhaps should be, how genuine is your humility if you lash out?
Oh, yeah. One more thing. Ask the viewers for their vote!
