Veteran Clinton facing political fight of her life

PHILADELPHIA — After more than a year of campaigning, more than a decade in politics and more than a generation of public service, the challenge for Hillary Rodham Clinton is clear, great and urgent: Can she present a new, different, compelling face to Americans?

That, more than anything, is the question before the Democratic National Convention this week. The convention is a unique — perhaps last — opportunity for Clinton to reintroduce herself to a country that has observed her since the 1970s. As the political season enters the fullthroated general election campaign, Americans remain deeply skeptical of her character and her record.

A woman Barack Obama called “likeable enough” when he ran against Clinton for the presidency in 2008 is now less likeable than she was as First Lady. Back then, before she ran for the Senate, she was the faithful wife who stood by an unfaithful president.

Today polls suggest the majority view her negatively, many saying they do not find her honest or credible. Donald Trump is seen even more unfavourably, but the gap is narrowing and the race is tightening. In some polls, Clinton is behind.

Softening her image, erasing old perceptions, humanizing herself — that is what the Democrats will try to do in their scripted TV spectacle.

Every speaker on every night of the convention, which ends Thursday, will make the case for the Democrats winning the White House again in November. It will feature a galaxy of the biggest political stars in the country: Michelle Obama; Joe Biden; Elizabeth Warren; Cory Booker; Bernie Sanders; Bill Clinton; Barack Obama; Michael Bloomberg.

Will the Democrats use the opportunity as effectively as Bill Clinton did when he was nominated — facing his own questions of character — in 1992? Clinton made himself a figure of empathy and hope in a country in recession run by an aloof President George H.W. Bush.

For Hillary Clinton, it will be harder. At 68, she has been in the game so long, in so many roles, that older people have fixed impressions. Younger people hardly know her beyond a caricature.

The danger for her is that everyone has an opinion. To some, she is courageous, progressive and conciliatory, a reformer who has broken the glass ceiling. To others, she is a shrill, duplicitous opportunist who misused her personal e-mail account as Secretary of State, lied in the Benghazi hearings and took money from Wall Street for speeches. She remains unpopular with supporters of Bernie Sanders.

A politician picks up enemies like a cashmere coat picks up doghair, and Hillary Clinton has enemies.

She has so many faces: Daughter of mid-western Republicans; first student commencement speaker at Wellesley College; assistant to the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate; one of the country’s leading lawyers; advocate of universal healthcare, children, and women.

First Lady of Arkansas. First Lady of the United States. Senator from New York. Secretary of State of the United States. Presidential candidate.

In fact, Clinton has among the longest résumés of anyone who has run for president — a sterling education including Yale Law School, a mix of high elective and appointive offices, a commitment to social justice.

But in the hothouse of American politics, where unhinged opponents spit bile (“Lock her up!” they chanted at the Republican Convention) and prosecute you as the anti-Christ, intellect and experience barely count.

Hillary Clinton faces the fight of her life for the job of her life. The serious audition begins this week.