Analysis: Clinton's Big Paradox

Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks at the Communications Workers of America (CWA) National Legislative-Political Conference in Washington in this March 27, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File) (Charles Dharapak - AP)

Her advisers acknowledge her position has cost her the support of many activists, but they believe most voters now care more about how to end the war than how it was started.

Her pattern of caution has also generated some controversy. After the nation's top military officer, Gen. Peter Pace, made headlines by declaring homosexual acts "immoral," Clinton was asked whether she agreed with Pace's views.

"I'll leave that to others to conclude," Clinton replied, setting off a wave of criticism from gay supporters. She later issued a statement insisting she did not believe homosexuality was immoral, and acknowledged that her initial answer "sounded evasive."

Joe Trippi, who managed Howard Dean's insurgent anti-war presidential bid in 2004, said Clinton's unique position as both the establishment favorite and first serious woman candidate make her a powerful contender in both the primary and general election.

"There's a lot of women, particularly younger women, who really look at her as a trailblazer breaking the impossible glass ceiling," he said, adding that she is a much stronger insider candidate than was John Kerry, whom Dean nearly toppled four years ago.

But, Trippi added, Clinton should resist the overly cautious approach that has bedeviled so many front-runners in the past.

"She really has the power to push some bold ideas, because she can grab the 'I'm making history' part of her candidacy and combine it with the insider, establishment, 'I've been tested' part of her candidacy. The combination would be formidable," he said.

Recently, Clinton's campaign has taken steps to generate greater excitement about her candidacy among women voters. Women for Hillary, a social networking organization aimed at encouraging women to talk up Clinton with their friends and co-workers, was launched earlier this month. The campaign has also rolled out endorsements from women famed for breaking barriers in their fields, including 1970s-era tennis star Billie Jean King and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

And while Clinton has promised toughness, pledging to "deck" opponents rather than fold to pressure, her campaign has also stressed the candidate's softer side.

Recently, a group of her top female advisers took turns praising their boss in a Web chat aimed at women. Campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle told the audience that she tucks her two children, ages 9 and 5, into bed each night and that "Hillary is very conscious of not calling during bedtime hours." Policy Director Leecia Eve, meanwhile, helped coach a Web chat participant on how to respond to concerns that Clinton is too aggressive or powerful.

"I for one am THANKFUL that she is both powerful and shares my values, including the need to work hard to improve the quality of life for so many Americans," Eve wrote.

Clinton's candidacy comes amid polling that suggests a majority of Americans believe the country is ready for a woman president. In a Gallup/USA Today poll taken in February 88 percent said they would vote for a well-qualifed candidate who was also a woman, while only 11 percent said they would not.

"She's always going to be the insider, but we've got to lighten up and celebrate the fact we've got a woman in there who could actually be the president," Wilson said. "I want the country to be fair with her."