She may not deserve to win in November, and, to be frank, I think she probably shouldn't. But if there's one thing I'm certain of, it's that Hillary Clinton is not stupid. In fact, considering the circumstances, she is playing her cards just right.

On Jan. 28, Hillary visited the oh-so-coveted state of Iowa for a town hall meeting, and in a Kerry-like moment she appeared to flub a question about "evil and bad men." With a mischievous look on her face she said, "I repeated the question because the gentleman, as you might recall, listed quite a number of the worst actors in our world today, including Osama bin Laden, and I was thinking to myself, 'Well, I think I could do a pretty good job. After all, we still haven't caught OBL, have we? And, isn't it about time we get serious about that?'" According to ABC News, the reporter was actually inquiring about her ability to deal with "bad places" and their leaders.

Reporters nationwide have speculated as to whom, exactly, she was referring. Some say President Bush while others are certain it was her husband, former President Bill Clinton. If I had to put money on it, I'd say she was talking about Bill, and why shouldn't she? Since the very beginning of the election season, there has been no question that if Hillary decided to further thrust herself into the limelight, Bill and her relationship to him, would be dragged along with her. Hillary is smart to get ahead of the issue and speak as much about him as she can on her own terms.

When Hillary was later asked about the meaning of her answer, at first she said what many wanted to hear: She was referring to "getting serious" about catching Osama bin Laden. Later, though, Hillary said what I believe she should have admitted right off the bat: She was only trying to be funny. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, many — especially Democrats — thought her response was "charmingly funny."

And again, why shouldn't she be trying anything she can to get America to crack a smile? She has been pegged with nicknames like "Ice Queen" and has certainly realized by now that she must do everything she can to soften her image — she simply cannot afford not to. After all, it's often the image, and not the issues, that garner the most votes.

Whether she was referring to Bush or Bill is really not the point at all, but rather that she appeared perhaps more real and more vulnerable than ever before. She knows her every move is being analyzed — and rightly so. But Hillary deserves credit for admitting that the constant "psychoanalysis" gets to her — just as it would anyone else — and moreover, that she is trying to have some fun with it.

On top of the endless questioning about Bill, there is always the pure and simple fact that Hillary is a woman. While it is still hard for me to grasp why having a female as president is so groundbreaking, for any reason other than it hasn't happened before, it is unarguably a huge issue surrounding Hillary's campaign, and yet another one she should be applauded for grabbing by the horns.

In a Jan. 28 New York Times article, author Robin Toner examined how female leaders like Hillary and Speaker Nancy Pelosi are increasingly appearing more caring and motherly in public. For example, Hillary often appears with children, and Pelosi misses no chance to remind people she has children and grandchildren.

Whereas years ago both womanhood and motherhood were seen as handicaps for women running for office, today they are being milked for all they are worth by hopefuls like Hillary. Again, she's not stupid. There's the chance that many Americans who are currently displeased with Bush's cold-hearted demeanor will begin to see Hillary in a more favorable light. Men will probably liken her manner to their own mothers — Freud would agree — and women will be mixed between the shallow "You go girl" sentiment and the honest attraction to a woman who is both confident and kind.

Confident and kind are strong words, though, and Hillary has a long way to go. As the Democratic Party frontrunner she has the momentum, and if she continues to play the hand she's dealt so skillfully, she could surprise us all.

But only as long as she remembers funny usually doesn't win elections.

Emily Friedman ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in journalism and legal studies.