Anxious Dems urge Clinton to open up

The Hill ^ | September 9,2016 | Alexander Bolton

[Hojczyk]

Democratic senators, anxious over Hillary Clinton’s inability to pull away from Donald Trump, have some advice for their nominee: Be more open, show your soul, focus on the economy and talk about blue-collar jobs.

Recent polls show Trump within striking distance of Clinton, defying predictions in Washington that he is doomed in November.

Trump’s ability to stay competitive while running an unconventional campaign has underscored what Democratic lawmakers see as the need for Clinton to improve in certain areas. These lawmakers, who served with Clinton in Congress and have known her for years, say her public persona is too guarded.

They struggle to reconcile the charismatic, warm and funny woman they know in private with Clinton’s public persona, which can come across as stern, aloof or annoyed.

Democratic senators say it’s natural for Clinton to put up her guard because she has been the target of Republican attacks for decades. But they think she might benefit from relaxing a little more on the campaign trail.

“Her decades in this arena have taken their toll,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). “When you’re hit a lot there’s almost an unconscious shield that controls the answers to your questions. I think she’s got to get rid of that and just let herself be.

“Everybody that knows her, loves her. They know her heart is full,” she added. “That’s what she ought to do, just take the shield away from the heart.”

Vice President Biden offered similar advice earlier in the week, calling on her to be “more open.”

Clinton has had the most difficulty connecting with white working-class voters. A nationwide CNN/ORC poll released Tuesday showed Trump beating Clinton among white voters without college degrees, 66 percent to 23 percent.

Many of these voters question her trustworthiness.

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