Chris Stigall: Ready For "Likable Enough?"
By Chris Stigall
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Democratic primary of 2008 should have been a harbinger of things to come for Hillary Clinton. Specifically, January 5th 2008.
During a candidates' debate, the moderator reminded Mrs. Clinton that polling among voters suggested the junior senator from Illinois was considered "more likeable" than she. Mrs. Clinton wryly smiled and replied, "Well, that hurts my feelings."
The audience laughed. Looking back on it now, the laughter was a statement. What was funny about that? It should've been uncomfortable. It should have been unpleasant. But we're talking about Hillary Clinton.
Not unlike a Disney villain, she almost seemed to relish it. And the audience knew that about her, too. Which is why they laughed. She's never been someone who projected warmth or sincerity or softness or vulnerability or charm or charisma or…
However, there was someone else on the stage that night. The new, hip, and very likeable Barack Obama who, without missing a beat or even looking up - smugly uttered, "You're likeable enough, Hillary."
That was ugly. With one shot, the shiny new face of politics told Democrats Mrs. Clinton wasn't particularly likeable or cool and they didn't have to accept that. They ultimately didn't.
Six long years and counting, we're in the throes of the "smartest, hippest, likable, most historic, coolest" President we've ever known. At least, according to all his sycophants in journalism, commentary, and pop culture.
This has lead to a comedic and journalistic dry spell I've long documented. No meaningful glove of criticism has been laid on this president, his party, his policies, or even his personality. All of which have been a gold mine for ridicule, investigation, or at the very least - conversation.
But, that ship long set sail. Now it is time to look to 2016. For Democrats, it's time to start thinking about who gets the keys to Obama's kingdom. Who can fill the shoes of such a "hip, cool, historic" president?
Will the Democrats accept "likeable enough" this time? It seems the answer is the same.
The Clinton story is chocked full of scandal, deception and sex. Depending on your politics, you still seethe about or dismiss those things today. What can't go ignored is through it all Bill Clinton has managed to not only maintain his likeability; he's still widely regarded as the Democrats' most popular figure.
But that Teflon of popularity doesn't extend to his wife. It never has.
I first realized this years ago when talking to a loyal Democrat voter in my family. She voted for Bill Clinton twice. She was later disgusted at his behavior with Monica Lewinski and never forgave it. But when the subject turned to Mrs. Clinton – my relative's disdainful tone grew louder. "How desperate for power must that woman be to stay with such a scumbag?"
Yes, my loyal Democrat-voting relative recognized Bill was sleazy. But more disconcerting to her was Hillary's tolerance of it, which she could only rationalize as calculated, ruthless ambition.
Flash forward nearly twenty years later, and that's still how she's seen. Not just by my relative, but by a staple of pop culture as well.
I've been reading and listening to fellow conservatives delight in all the heavy coverage of Mrs. Clinton's email scandal while she served as Secretary of State. Trying to explain her own in-home computer server and private email address for all official and unofficial email is just her latest problem in a long list of them.
There was last year's disastrous book tour where she made absurd claims of being "dead broke" and snippily answered even friendly questions about gay marriage. The book flopped as did her inauthentic, awkward interview performances.
Then came revelations about her highflying lifestyle, her huge speaking fees from anyone who will pay them, and of course the billions of donations from foreign interests she and her husband have accepted on behalf of The Clinton Foundation.
She's been in hiding ever since. Camp Clinton isn't talking while the press has been hammering away almost daily.
But it's not the scandals or the heavy, negative news coverage that has sealed Mrs. Clinton's political doom. It's just…her.
"Saturday Night Live's" Kate McKinnon opened last weekend's show portraying the former First Lady addressing the email scandal that's been swirling in the news.
Again, my conservative counterparts got excited that SNL was FINALLY going after a high profile Democrat again. One that likely wants the presidency. But that opening sketch wasn't mocking the scandal. It was mocking Hillary - the person.
Referring to herself as just "a relatable woman on a couch," McKinnon nailed Clinton's phony, forced, throaty laugh. "What a relatable laugh," she finished.
During her bizarre, contrived, strained, yet "relatable" behavior that was anything but, McKinnon also painted Clinton as a maniacal character driven to borderline madness by her thirst for the presidency.
The SNL writers even managed to work in the name of someone that truly excites the liberal base and one they believe can win – Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren. McKinnon's wild-eyed Hillary declared, "love ya Liz, but it's not your time. It's MY TIME!"
During the five minute monologue, it was evident the writers were sending a message to their party about Hillary Clinton. "We know who she really is. She can't win after all the hipness and cool of Obama. Here are her flaws. She's phony, unnatural, and power mad. We want someone else."
Clinton scandals will come and go, but as George Bush, Sarah Palin, and Bill Clinton know – once you're satirized – it sticks forever. Bush and Palin are dumb. Bill Clinton is a pervert. But ultimately, they all managed to maintain likeability about themselves.
Mrs. Clinton's lack of likeability IS the joke. And that's a very serious problem for her future.
