In addition to the obligatory Hillary file footage and sound bites, Doug Hattaway, the campaign spokesman for Gore/Lieberman in 2000 gushed "I think this really long campaign season has really benefitted Senator Clinton. It's given voters a chance to see her for who she really is, not some caricature created by the right-wing attack machine." Hattaway continued, "In the debates, she's been commanding. On the trail, she's been very personable. And that's a really powerful combination."
The report, which aired 41 minutes into the 4 pm Eastern hour of "The Situation Room" also reported some incredulous results from the latest CNN/Opinion Research poll. Apparently, 68 percent of those polled see Mrs. Clinton as "a strong leader," 63 percent find her "likeable," 61 percent "believe she can work with both parties," and 57 percent "say she cares about people."
Crowley reported that the only bad news from the poll was the "striking" difference between men and women with regards to Hillary. "Asked, for instance, if they admire Clinton, 57 percent of women said yes. That is 15 points higher than men. Does she share your values? Fifty-five percent of women said yes. And that's compared, Wolf, to only 45 percent of men." The CNN correspondent that this was a challenge for her [Hillary’s] 61st year."
A full transcript of the report from Thursday’s "The Situation Room:"
WOLF BLITZER: She's a senator and a Democratic presidential front-runner, but, in a matter of hours, Americans can call Hillary Clinton something else -- a 60-year-old. We have some brand-new poll numbers to mark this occasion. Let's bring in our senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley. So, how's the senator, the Democratic presidential front-runner, celebrating?
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: She will celebrate this evening on the eve of her birthday, which is tomorrow, up in New York. She be will be feted by her husband, comedian Bill Crystal, and singer Elvis Costello, among others. It is a million-dollar bash. And that's not the cost of it. That's the take for her campaign coffers. The gifts just keep on coming.
CROWLEY (voice-over): Sixty years old, a mile-marker birthday in a so far, so great career year for Hillary Clinton, the consistent Democratic front-runner.
SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D-NY), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Now, I have noticed that, the last couple of weeks, I have been getting a lot of attention from the men in this race. And, at first, you know, I didn't know what to make of it. And then, a good friend of mine said, you know, when you get to be our age, having that much attention from all these men...
CROWLEY: It is vintage Clinton 2007, a year dedicated to flexing her foreign policy muscle, while reshaping her public image from humorless, wild-eyed liberal to a approachable, reasoned politician.
DOUG HATTAWAY, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: I think this really long campaign season has really benefitted Senator Clinton. It's given voters a chance to see her for who she really is, not some caricature created by the right-wing attack machine.
CROWLEY: It has brought her many happy returns. The latest CNN/Opinion Research poll of registered voters shows 68 percent see Clinton as a strong leader. Sixty-three percent find her likable. Sixty-one percent believe she can work with both parties. Fifty-seven percent say she cares about people.
HATTAWAY: In the debates, she's been commanding. On the trail, she's been very personable. And that's a really powerful combination.
CROWLEY: She has shaken off her yes-vote on the Iraq war, weathered fundraising problems, and stiff-armed current questions on her approach to Iran. Not to say Clinton can blow out the candles and call it a day. When it comes to issues, honesty, shared values, and admiration, voters are split, in large part because Clinton is viewed far more favorably by women than by men, a challenge for her 61st year.
CROWLEY (on-camera): That male/female gap is striking on down the line. Asked, for instance, if they admire Clinton, 57 percent of women said yes. That is 15 points higher than men. Does she share your values? Fifty-five percent of women said yes. And that's compared, Wolf, to only 45 percent of men.
BLITZER: And remember what her husband, Bill Clinton, said when he turned 60 a year or so ago. He said, remember, 60, he said, is the new 40.
CROWLEY: Absolutely.
BLITZER: All right. Candy, thanks very much.
