Hillary Clinton: "I'm Battle-Hardened"

White House Hopeful Says Years In Media Spotlight Prepared Her For Tough Campaign

(CBS/AP)  White House hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton says her years under the media spotlight have made her "battle-hardened" and have prepared for tough questions on the campaign trail.

"What I think I bring to the table, in addition to my ideas and my experience, is that I'm battle-hardened. I've been there. I know how to overcome these kinds of political tactics," she told CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith on Tuesday.

Asked how she would handle questions about things like Whitewater, Travel-gate and the impeachment of her husband, former President Bill Clinton, the junior senator from New York said, "I think the country's turned a page on all of that. I certainly have. I live in the present, looking toward the future."

A new CBS News poll released Monday showed Clinton with a 17-point edge over the man considered her closest Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama. The poll also showed most Americans see her as a strong leader with the right experience to be a good president, but four in ten doubt she can be elected.

Clinton acknowledged that there have long been questions about her "electability."

"I was told the same thing when I started running in New York. I was told people didn't like me, they wouldn't vote for me," she said. "What I wanted there and what I want here is just a chance for people to get to know me as I am. Not as they may have heard about me from, you know, cable TV or radio or somewhere."

Clinton vowed to use "old-fashioned" tactics to get her message out - "going to living rooms, church basements and union halls" – as well as newer ones, like the Web.

"I started these Web chats last night on HillaryClinton.com," she said. "We got thousands of questions. We try to make sure that I'm communicating directly, frankly, in an unfiltered way so people can figure out whether they agree with me or don't agree with me."

Looking ahead to Tuesday night's State of the Union address, Clinton expressed some optimism about what President Bush would discuss.

"From what I hear, at least he's going to be opening the door on health care and energy, which I'm thrilled about. I don't know that I will agree with his particulars, but the fact that the president's going to stand up and put forth a plan to try to help get everybody insured is a big step forward for this White House. And I want to be part of that solution, the same on energy," she said.

On Monday, Clinton announced she will not accept public campaign financing for either the Democratic primaries or, if she wins the nomination, the general election campaign.

Clinton's decision had been widely expected given her and her husband's proven ability to raise vast sums of money quickly. Her advisers have not disputed estimates that she will raise $100 million or more before the year is out.

The New York senator already has more than $14 million in the bank, money left from her successful re-election campaign last year. The funds can be spent on her presidential bid.

While both President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry rejected public funding for their primary campaigns in 2004, they did accept $74.5 million each for the general election campaign. The funding for the general election was expected to reach $85 million for the major party candidates in 2008.

Analysts had been predicting that the major candidates for 2008 would reject the public financing option for both primaries and the general election because of the growing cost of competing. Not accepting public financing allows candidates to keep raising and spending as much as they want.

Clinton becomes the first of the top-tier candidates to announce the rejection of public financing.

"Both presidential nominees opted out of the public financing system in 2004 because the cost of running a modern campaign has gotten so expensive," said Phil Singer, a spokesman for the Clinton campaign. "These dramatic increases make it clear that the current public financing system is in need of an update and Senator Clinton would support modernizing it."

Strategists from both parties had estimated last year that the 2008 race could cost each nominee $500 million — far more than the Presidential Election Campaign Fund could afford. It is financed through the $3 checkoff on federal income tax returns.

The fund, which is expected to have about $200 million by the end of 2007, still would help pay for party presidential nominating conventions and assist primary candidates who do not raise large amounts of money.

[teeus]

"C'mon you women out there start using the logical part of the brain not the emotional, do your research and support a candidate based on what they represent and not their gender."

Um, okay. Let's see... Takes a village. Check. Pro-choice. Check. Tradition of public service for the youth of this country. Check. Anti-this-wrong-wrong-wrong-war. Check. Increase funding for education and child issues. Check. Implement the 9/11 commission's recommendations. Check. Improve the lives of those less fortunate. Check.

Wow! Sounds like Hillary is the one for me! Thanks, CoosaGal! I wasn't sure who to vote for before, but thanks to your advice, I do now!

[coosagal-2009]

Leaders lead by example and if she is an example for our youth - this country is in even bigger trouble than I thought. Common you women out there start using the logical part of the brain not the emotional, do your research and support a candidate based on what they represent and not their gender.

[fedup2007]

To tru_america1 from Chicago.
The only reason why you would say "...in general, we do not like Hillary...." is because Oprah is based in Chicago and "She" rules in Chicago and "SHE" wants Chicago to endorse Obama.
Do your Research on Hillary and you will see the accomplishments throughout her ENTIRE career as an attorney for the "poor" and other worthwhile endeavors and you will SEE that SHE IS A LEADER!

[fedup2007]

I never liked Katie Couric when she was with Channel 4 and I stopped watching Channel 4 altogether when she and others in the news were STUPID in their one sided views for the current executive administration in Washington, D.C during the past elections.

The interview she had with Hillary was so nasty that you just lost a viewer. She is the same STUPID so called reporter that was on Channel 4. I thought Channel 2 would change her views but I WAS SO WRONG!

Harry Smith's interview with Hillary was terrible as well.

The 2008 campaign has not been officially started and these two IDIOTS are already putting down the opposing "Republican and/or Bush foes" down.

Get someone that is impartial and able to do interviews that are informational and educational instead of bashing any opponents to your beliefs!!!!!!!!

These two faces make me sick to my stomach and I hope your board members and decision makers will take notice of these two morons. This channel, I hope, is not a one sided political view like "Fox" Channel.

[angelcarey08]

Hillary Clinton is the MOST qualified Democratic candidate so far. Most likely will be after the primaries as well. Chicago isnt all of Illinois, which im sure Senator Clinton will win over. She is indeed one of the greatest leaders we have ever had, and will be a great commander in chief hands down.. So stop posting ridiculous comments that are just well misanthropic..

[thgdriver]

I have a question for her--"What would you be doing now, if you had not married Slick Willie beaver"?

[thgdriver]

Well, it seems to me, Bill will be expected to keep his zipper closed for the next two years, I don't think he can. Then, Evan if I am wrong, he will have to keep it closed for another eight years, for a total of ten.------

Imposable.

[sunoverla]

I am a loyal foot soldier for Hillary and am very much looking forward to a spirited, patriotic debate on the direction of our country. The campaigning has begin!!

[dallison7]

Our country actually allows people like you to vote!! That explains George Bush.

[dallison7]

You could say "Hillary and Bill don't know", or you could say, "Hillary, like Bill, doesn't know", but to say, "Hillary, like Bill, don't know" reflects a lack of education, or simple stupidity.

[dallison7]

Another 'slow breather' speaks up. Brilliant, 'One under scored american'.

[one_american]

Hillary, like Bill, don't know what they stand for until they take a poll.

Worthless people.

[dallison7]

mgpm

It is funny as he*l watching all the neocons running around with their hair on fire. They know they are going to have a FEMALE commander-in-chief and her name will be CLINTON. I can't wait till the day that President and Mr. Clinton sweep the bush filth out of the Whitehouse and start renewing our posture in the world.

[coosagal-2009]

Slow up--Bill is the one who cheated on his spouse. She shouldn't be tarred with that brush. I thought all you republicans who stand for family values would value the way she didn't throw her marriage away because he made a mistake. Stand by your man, and all that.

I would stand by my man only if 1) it was a one time thing, not repeated, 2) he did not lie to me and the entire world about it and 3) I was foolish enough to believe him, not once, but repeatedly (isn't that a scary thought with her running the country). I would have had more respect for her if she would have left him since I think the only reason she stayed was to ride it to a presidential nomination for herself.

[teeus]

"Specific details will be the downfall of many Democrats"

Yes, those pesky details. Like...Mr. President, do we have an exit strategy?
[crickets]
Mr. President, why haven't we put the recommendations of the 9/11 commission into effect?
[crickets]
Mr. President, why are you ignoring the advice of your own committee regarding Iraq.
[crickets]
Mr. President, you mentioned a mission to Mars a few years ago. What became of that? How did you plan on funding that?

Seems that Republicans have a few problems with details, too.

[xsoldier2]

I say to hell with Hillary. There ought to be law against ex-first ladies running (or wanting to) for president. What am I saying? wasn4t she president already?

[xsoldier2]

I say to hell with Hillary. There ought to be law against ex-first ladies running (or wanting to) for president. What am I saying? wasn4t she president already?

[mgpm-2009]

I'm LOVING this...All the *** the neocons slung at Bill and Hillary and every thing she endured during that time has turned into ARMOR. They dug up every little piece of dirt they could and nothing worked, now there's nothing left to sling. Even if there were, nothing would bother her because she's so tough now, having suffered their worst arrows. You go Hillary!!!!!

[j-whitman]

CLINTON -- PELOSI -- 08

[crater7]

MADAM PRESIDENT
GET USE TO IT, AND GET OVER IT, YOU WILL BE HEARING IT FOR A LONG TIME.