Where’s Hillary Clinton’s Message?

First Read: “There was always a risk to Hillary Clinton’s go-small approach to her early campaign — and that was lacking a real message. That lack of a message was on display at her Iowa event yesterday. Yes, she listed her four fights — 1) building an economy for tomorrow, 2) strengthening families and communities, 3) fixing America’s political system by getting rid of ‘unaccountable’ money, and 4) protecting the country. And, yes, she struck a more populist tone… But those statements weren’t any different than what you hear from 90% of Democratic candidates running for downballot office.”

“Bottom line: She didn’t say anything unique, which was always going to be the shortcoming of a rollout emphasizing theater over substance/message. We totally get why Clinton decided to go small: She wants to make a new impression and avoid giving any room on the left. Clinton doesn’t want to come across as entitled, presidential, and the same as last time… The lack of message is all the more striking because one imagines she has thought about that moment for at least four years, if not eight. And the best she could come up with standard Democratic press release talking points.”