The XX Factor: Slate women blog about politics, etc...

Liking Hillary

Huh, that's interesting, Melinda, because I also found that moment of the Saturday debate memorable—but for different reasons. Hillary's response made me think about how hard and frustrating it is to be told you're unlikable. Especially when the likable guy has just strolled on into a party you've been working for 35 years. Maybe Hillary was simultaneously mocking the whole idea—the double interpretation is all to the good for her—but my main impression was self-deprecation and yes, hurt feelings, which made me empathize with her. It also made Obama screw up, I think. His "Hillary, you're likable enough," retort, or somesuch, was off-pitch and callous. He could have said sweetly "I like you plenty, Hillary" or "they like you plenty," since what was at issue was the voters' feelings, not his. Or he could have said nothing at all.

Another good Hillary debate moment: forgiving John Edwards for dissing her jacket in an earlier debate. She offered the perfect combination of classy acknowledgement and shrug. And when I watched her up on stage with all nine of the male candidates, Republicans and Democrats—well, I was glad she was there.