Courting the Vote

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 10:  Former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton  promotes "Hard Choices" at Barnes & Noble Union Square on June 10, 2014 in New York City.  (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage)

By: Thomas Lodico

Hillary Clinton is seen as a woman of action who can host large crowds of supporters as she makes her way to becoming the Democrats’ next hope for maintaining The White House. Yet starting her campaign last month, she has been able to distance herself from the public perception of the candidate who ran in 2008.

Mrs. Clinton is starting out small, which she is using to her advantage. She already has the support of a large and trustworthy base that will easily lead her to the Democratic nomination. But by starting out simple and small, she is able to focus on issues with certain groups.

Most recently, Mrs. Clinton sat down with the a group of Immigration Advocates in Las Vegas. Here she laid out her plan to broaden the recent protections President Obama has put forth. Clinton would not only protect those brought to the United States at a young age, but their parents who have been here for most of their lives. This is how Clinton is able to stand out from her 2008 campaign.
Even more recently, Mrs. Clinton had a town-hall styled chart with LGBT advocates in Iowa. Clinton was able to talk with couples on LGBT issues with a focus on marriage and equal rights for all Americans. This ability to use size to her advantage is a smart decision, because instead of trying to pack the house, Clinton is able to talk one on one with Americans, taking a more personal approach.

By using the small town method, Clinton is changing from the 2008 mega start to the 2016 personal presidential candidate. She is establishing herself as someone that all Americans can relate to.