Hillary Clinton’s Means of Ascent

John Avlon: “Hillary Clinton has successfully transformed herself from one of the most polarizing personalities in American politics to our most broadly popular politician. And she has done it the old-fashioned way–through hard work.”

“First the former first lady put her head down in the U.S. Senate and earned the respect of skeptics and outright opponents… After her hard-fought presidential primary campaign in 2008 against Barack Obama, it seemed that the old polarizing reputation had reasserted itself… But with President Obama’s decision to invite his rival into his cabinet at secretary of State, her work ethic again won over hardened critics. She traveled tirelessly, visiting more countries than any of her predecessors did and cementing her reputation as a serious and inspirational figure in her own right.”

“Hillary Clinton’s rise has also been buoyed by something bigger than hard work. It is the vindication that eventually comes when your struggles are seen to be on the right side of history.”