"Fail to plan, plan to fail"

Just as the Mitt Romney profile below heightens the popular accusation that he is a "flip-flopper," a recent New York Times story on Hillary Clinton perpetuates accusations that she is phony on the campaign trail. Hillary is probably not a cold-hearted person, but she may come off that way in public and has to act to compensate. And what could be construed as being cold-hearted is apparently a symptom of her meticulous management style that, while different from her husband's, has apparently worked for her. Although the Times story points out that she is a good boss, giving credit where credit is due, there is never any indication that she is a fun or relaxed boss like her husband was. Among the many sources that gave the Times reporter this picture of the Democratic presidential front runner is Hillary herself, who, the author points out, is terribly methodical and punctual and ended her interview with him right on time. Perhaps the most surprising part of the story is when Hillary is compared to George W. Bush for her tendency to surround herself with longtime loyalists. The difference between her and Bush, though, portrayed in the Times story is that she actually learns from her mistakes and is prepared to get the job done.

Her background as a boss, powerful spouse and advocate could signal Mrs. Clinton’s approach to the job for which she is now applying. She is credited with hiring capable, loyal staff members, though her top aides have also been called insular and needlessly defensive at times. Friends and advisers say Mrs. Clinton has been a diligent student of her own mistakes, and her style has evolved over the years from a tendency to micromanage to a greater willingness to delegate; from a bent toward perfectionism to one closer to pragmatism; from a go-for-broke mentality to one more willing to compromise.