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U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton aims to revamp her image in a bid to go from a stiff politician to one who can relate to voters, but it remains uncertain how successful her bid will be.
Clinton has been seen as stiff and somewhat uptight in public, which has hurt her in a political environment in which voters want candidates to seem approachable, likeable and down-to-earth.
While her husband, former President Bill Clinton, is a gifted orator and naturally folksy in front of just about any audience, Hillary has struggled with this most important part of her campaign.
Though Hillary Clinton has an impressive resume -- she's a former secretary of state, former first lady and former senator,it is far less important in U.S. politics than a candidate's ability to convince voters that he or she can relate to ordinary voters.
On Monday, Clinton pushed her campaign full throttle with a town hall meeting in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, which was televised on NBC's Today Show.
That came on the heels of Saturday's appearance on nationally televised late-night comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL), when she performed in a skit that essentially poked fun at herself in an effort to seem more approachable.
"Hillary's appearance on Saturday Night Live was designed to give the public a more personal glimpse of her and lighten her image," Brookings Institution's senior fellow Darrell West told Xinhua.
"She comes across as stiff in many media appearances and it is important to put her in less formal situations where her personal warmth comes through," West said. "Being in a comedy skit is a great way to show up in a different light and help people relate to her."
Clinton, in the SNL performance, admitted that she is "a more reserved person than maybe some people in politics are," while adding that "I also like to have a good time."
An image revamp is much needed, given what her campaign is currently facing. Rival Democratic candidate Senator Bernie Sanders is making waves in the media, and attracting large crowds to his speeches.
Current Vice President Joe Biden is also considering a run, and that could also complicate the efforts of Clinton, who only a few months ago was considered a shoo-in for the nomination.
And then there's the email scandal. It was revealed several months ago that Clinton solely used a private email account to conduct business during her four-year tenure as secretary of state, and kept a private server at her residence, sparking a wave of controversy and myriad questions, such as whether her actions could have compromised national security. This led to her slip in polls.
The email controversy will not go away as federal law enforcement agencies are investigating the case, and it is likely to be fodder for her political rivals in the run up to the 2016 presidential elections.
It remains unknown whether this more fun side of Clinton will continue to resonate. While an ongoing push to show her humorous side may shift reporters' focus, the email scandal could continue to dog her.
"A television appearance isn't going to remove the force of the email scandal but it will dominate the news cycle for a few days, which is an advantage for Clinton," West said.
Julian E. Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, told Xinhua that one SNL appearance can't rehab a candidate's image, but a number of these visits to high profile venues could help.
On the email scandal, Zelizer said: "The scandal will continue. " Enditem
