Hillary cries her way to the top February 5, 2008

Hillary Clinton’s victory in New Hampshire last week left us political analysts rather red faced.  I must admit that I was one of those eating a large slice of Humble Pie after predicting a Barack Obama victory.

So why did she defy the odds to pull off, what was in the end, a rather comfortable victory?  Well, the turnout was much higher than anybody anticipated, at over 50%, showing just how much the election has gripped America.

However, I think you have to look at her last minute campaign held the night before the polls, when she was asked by a member of the audience how she was handling the pressure of running for President?  In response, Clinton was clearly emotional and shed quite a few tears.  Could America’s Iron Lady really be feeling the strain?

 Seeing an emotional side to Hillary, that many Americans thought never existed, worked strongly in her favour.  It suddenly dawned on them, that not only was she a determined and excellent politician but that she was a wife, mother and ordinary human being as well.

As a result, she swept to victory.  Obama was no doubt rattled by what happened.  He could even be accused of celebrating too early, as it looked for all the world as though Hillary was a beaten woman.  We may well look on New Hampshire as the turning point in the election.  Hillary is back, and back in style and she could yet be the 44th President.