Pollster Peter Hart: "Between Hillary Clinton and 2016 Voters, a Glass Curtain"

[Attorney in Texas]

link; excerpt:

In a micro way, 2016 feels like it should be a Democratic year: The GOP is without a natural nominee, and it remains a party with a tremendous gulf between the establishment and its electorate on social issues. But–and there is always a but–the thoughts of these {focus-group} voters in Columbus, Ohio, underscores the challenge ahead for the Democrats in 2016.
...
Mrs. Clinton receives admiration and respect for her professional skills and background,... however, there is still a gulf for her to cross in order to connect with these Ohio voters and those nationwide. One does not sense that they are rooting for her but, rather, that they are hoping she stumbles so they can find a way to relate to her.

Hillary Clinton has often referred to the “glass ceiling” she is trying to break through. These voters also are trying to break through something, but their barrier is a glass curtain. Many feel they can see and hear her, but they do not think they can relate to or touch her. In their words, she is remote and distant. Whether it is her voice, manner, attitude, or language, there is a gulf. Since 1980, from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama, voters have chosen the presidential candidate they perceived as more “likable and warm.” One year before the 2016 election, the challenge facing Hillary Clinton is to find a way to relate to voters and, more important, to provide voters a way to relate to her.

[tularetom]

1. She's good enough, she's smart enough and doggone it, people just don't like her

She's sort of the anti Stuart Smalley.

[merrily]

3. Are you sure? She failed the D.C. bar exam and I don't think she's especially good.

I must concede your third point, though.

[tularetom]

4. OK, you saw through me

I didn't really mean it, it's the holiday season and I wanted to be charitable.

[merrily]

5. In the spirit of the season, I'll allow it.

Happy Thanksgiving, Judge Judy

[CoffeeCat]

2. I could see myself voting for a candidate...

Last edited Wed Nov 25, 2015, 07:00 PM - Edit history (2)

...who is "remote and distant" or someone that I "can't relate to" as the article says.

I do not begrudge Hillary for her cold and distant campaigning--or her basic refusal to engage with voters. Believe me I've seen this in Iowa for two cycles. She seems incapable of doing this.

I don't need a candidate to be a warm fuzzy.

The problem is that her votes, her policies, her ideas and her corporate connections are cold, remote and create a distant between Hillary and "We The People". There is a glass curtain all right--when it comes to Hillary's policies and how they connect to the average citizen.

Her war votes connect with the defense contractors. Her refusal to reinstate Glass Steagall definitely makes Wall Street feel all warm and fuzzy. Her most recent comment about Bernie's healthcare ideas being "pie in the sky" surely help the health-insurance companies feel warm...not to mention, fuzzy.

The voters and their interests seem to be disconnected from Hillary.

That's the problem. She is not personable, and we could forgive that, if she had the right ideas and policies. But she doesn't.

[daleanime]

6. +1

[Metric System]

7. Odd, I've read that she's doing better at retail politics than Sanders.

[CharlotteVale]

8. Exactly. I actually met her a bookstore meet'n'greet back in 2000, and

she was so cold and aloof I was stunned. This was before I disliked her so much, even though I wasn't a huge fan (I only went with somebody who thought they were doing me a big favor by inviting me since they knew I was a Democrat) and I certainly was very polite to her.

But it isn't her rudeness to me that makes me not want to vote for her. I couldn't care less about her personality, it's all about policies for me.

[ibegurpard]

9. I don't care if she's mean and rude and unapproachable

I care about her record and past support and non support for issues that matter to me. Also her inability to take solid stand on something without the timing showing it's for whatever political expediency she thinks she's going to get out of it. And stupid POINTLESS lies like how she was going to sign up for the Marines.

[Vincardog]

10. Bingo. Not fuzzy, we could forgive, if she had the right ideas and policies. But she doesn't.

[merrily]

11. "You're likeable enough, Hillary."

Am I the only one who cringed when she replied "That hurts my feelings" when asked about the meme that people find her unlikeable? I was glad when Obama cut off that line of thought, I'll tell you that.

[Attorney in Texas]

13. exactly

[Eric J in MN]

12. I'm a Sanders supporter but after watching the first debate

...I think that Hillary Clinton has enough charisma to win the general if she's the nominee.

If she's the nominee and loses, it will be because the majority of voters think the Republicans should have the White House, again.