Hillary: Don't Meet The Press
"Her disciplined and highly touted communications operation keeps the media at arm's length, reflecting the wariness of a woman who has been the subject of more press scrutiny than just about any other elected official in the world," writes Jason Horowitz.
Clinton did not, Horowitz notes, hold a press conference during this past weekend's trip to New Hampshire, opting instead to talk only to voters. (She did do a series of interviews when she announced her candidacy, including one with Katie Couric.) Horowitz argues that Clinton can get away with not soliciting the press corps during this early stage in the campaign because she has high name recognition and a significant lead over her rivals. And the increased role of the Internet in political campaigns also doesn't hurt, since candidates can now go straight to potential voters without a press filter.
Clinton, who believes that the press corps has portrayed her as cold and calculating, says she now has "to work to make it clear to people who I really am." James Carville says a strategy of talking largely to regular people, not reporters, plays to Clinton's strengths. "The press made up their mind a long time ago what they were going to think about Hillary Clinton," says Carville. "She does much better and is more comfortable dealing with voters."