All About Hillary

First Read: “There are two consequences of having an early presidential contest become all about you. One, being the early frontrunner and the focus of everyone’s attention isn’t always an envious place to be. Think Romney in 2011. Rudy in 2007. McCain in 2007 (after his campaign imploded). And, of course, Hillary in 2007-2008.”

“As the frontrunner, you get the bulk of the slings and arrows — as well as the tough media attention. Indeed, it’s preferable to be the primary-season candidate who sneaks up one everyone and times his/her ascent perfectly, a la Obama in Jan. 2008, McCain in Jan. 2008 (after his campaign regrouped), and John Kerry in 2004.”

“The other consequence of having an election become all about you is that it becomes an exhausting. If you can endure — or better yet, outlast — the scrutiny, the story will change, especially in today’s rapid-fire media climate. But you’ve got to survive it first. And thrive. It’s a process that wears you down. But the successful candidates at least LOOK like they’re enjoying it.”