NYT: Clinton goes face to face as Obama plays not to lose

By MARK LEIBOVICH

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has become the open and accessible candidate — sharing beers with reporters, taking endless questions from voters at campaign events and showing rare glimpses of emotion.

Senator Barack Obama, meantime, has been cautious, guarded and strenuously on message — Clinton-like, in other words, at least Clinton-like until a few weeks ago.

As the race for the Democratic presidential nomination has turned upside down, at least at its top rungs, so have Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama’s approaches of exposing themselves to public view and questioning.

In Mrs. Clinton’s case, a pivot point came the Friday before Christmas, when Mr. Obama was coming on strong and her likability was being questioned. She did something rare for her — she sat down at a hotel bar in Manchester with about 20 reporters.

Because of the ground rules, her comments could not be reported. But she was funny, candid and apparently comfortable, and the mere fact that the conversation occurred was a prelude: She has become more accessible and personable as she has become less of a sure bet.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/08/us/politics/08style.html?ei=5088&en=24a778af77fd5a5c&ex=1357448400&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1199801231-J8xUDbuO719GbHthXAwPfQ&pagewanted=print

as you can see in these photos he's very accessible http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/nvhome
BarackObama.com | Nevada HQ Home

I think that is a correct observation and note worthy. I see no point for a competitive framing on this between Clinton and Obama, but Clinton got flack here at DU when she ran a frontrunners campaign, specifically for not taking audiance questions. It is a healthy change to see her become more available and open. Bottom line, it is good for our Democracy when potential leaders interact with the public more. Clinton is a better candidate, and possibly will become a better leader if she wins, because she was forced out of button down front runner mode now.

is that anything like the New Nixon......










:hide:

I remember that one.