PHILADELPHIA — Meet the new Hillary Clinton, repackaged and updated from previous versions. But will voters notice or care?
After decades in the public eye, Clinton is being presented to Americans again at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, this time as a barrier-breaking liberal champion who fights for families and children.
But even as Democratic Party stars delivered one testimonial after another this week, some voters watching from the convention floor said they already know Clinton, or think they do, through her years as first lady, senator and secretary of state, and not all views are favorable. That presents a unique challenge for Clinton and her supporters as they try to reintroduce one of the country’s most visible women to voters who’ve been watching her for years.
“Why can’t we have somebody in the White House that doesn’t need to be shined up?” asked 31-year-old Liz Maratea of New Jersey, standing Tuesday outside the Wells Fargo Center, where she’d come to support Bernie Sanders. “Nothing needs to be repackaged about Bernie.”
Clinton backers have long argued that if voters only knew her as those close to her do, they would find plenty to like. The campaign has worked on that message in recent months, and this week’s convention is aimed squarely at presenting that Clinton to the bigger general election audience.
The portrait was laid out in waves this week.
She is someone who wants to “break down all the barriers to opportunity,” in the words of Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland.
She’s tireless and hard-working, gets knocked down but “has never quit on anything in her life,” said First Lady Michelle Obama.
She’s spent decades fighting for women and children, minorities and the disabled — or, as her husband, former President Bill Clinton, , “She’s a change-maker.”
Some of the reintroduction is more than cosmetic: Clinton moved left on issues including trade and education in the course of the primary campaign, adopting stances pushed by Sanders.
Itap far from the first time Clinton has had to reintroduce herself. Allies say she’s often been preceded by wrong impressions created by political adversaries. Others note that she’s done harm to her own image through issues like her use of a personal email server.
Backers argue that Clinton’s strength is not as a campaigner but as a hard worker, and once she gets a job, she adopts a “workhorse” approach that impresses even adversaries.
Former Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln recalled fellow senators wondering whether Clinton would require a lot of attention when she joined the Senate in 2001. But Lincoln said she heard from colleagues, “You know what, you were right, she’s not a diva, she wants to work.” Lincoln added, “I wish people could know her as I know her.”
Some skeptical voters in Philadelphia are willing to give Clinton a re-hearing, especially after listening to fellow Democrats vouch for her from the convention stage.
“I’m always open to new information,” said Colby Clipston, 23, of Portland, Oregon. He pointed to Sanders’ convention speech, where the senator detailed positions that he and Clinton now share.
“If Hillary Clinton comes out and she demonstrates that she is going to be someone we can trust to stick to that, I think we can begin to have a conversation,” Clipston said.
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Former U.S. president Bill Clinton addresses the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Former U.S. President Bill Clinton delivers remarks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton received the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination.
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Former U.S. President Bill Clinton arrives on stage to deliver remarks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright finishes her address on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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16-month Ethan Jennings grabs a cardboard cutout of the face of Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as his father Florida delegate Bernard Jennings holds him during the second day session of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Tuesday, July 26, 2016.
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Actor Tony Goldwyn speaks during the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia , Tuesday, July 26, 2016.
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Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivers remarks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Actresses America Fererra, right, and Lena Dunham deliver remarks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) deliovers remarks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Interim chair of the Democratic National Committee, Donna Brazile delivers remarks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton received the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25.
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Former Vermont governor Howard Dean address the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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9/11 survivor, Lauren Manning, delivers remarks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Ryan Moore smiles at the podium as he speaks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia , Tuesday, July 26, 2016.
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Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) walks on stage to deliver remarks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton received the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25.
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First lady Michelle Obama acknowledges the crowd before delivering remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25.
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U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders smiles during Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016.
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Delegates cheer during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia , Monday, July 25, 2016.
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Delegates dance as Paul Simon sings during Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 25, 2016.
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Former Presidential candidate and US Senator Bernie Sanders gestures during Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016.
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Wellington Webb, former mayor of Denver, speaks during Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016.
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Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Maryland, speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Monday, July 25, 2016.
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A Bernard Sanders supporter glows on the floor on Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016.
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Signs in opposition to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump are displayed on the floor of the 2016 Democratic National Convention at Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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Delegates hold up signs during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Monday, July 25, 2016.
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Leah Daughtry, CEO of the Democratic National Convention Committee, waves to the crowd before delivering a speech on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25.
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Tape covering the mouth of a delegate from Michigan reads "Silenced By DNC" on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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Florida delegates dance during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Monday, July 25, 2016.
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Bernie Sanders supporters gather at FDR park after marching through downtown on the first day of the Democratic National Convention on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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Singer-songwriter Paul Simon performs on stage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO, speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Monday, July 25, 2016.
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An attendee in support of Sen. Bernie Sanders walks the floor on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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Singer Demi Lovato performs on stage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25.
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Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake bangs the gavel calling to order the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25.
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Astrid Silva walks to the stage to speak about immigration during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Monday, July 25, 2016.
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Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill) delivers remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., gives his thumb up as after speaking to delegates during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Monday, July 25, 2016.
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U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama addresses delegates on Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016.
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Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) delivers remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren speaks during Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016.
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Former President Bill Clinton applauds First Lady Michelle Obama as Eric Holder and Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Maryland, take their seats during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Monday, July 25, 2016.
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Former U.S. president Bill Clinton addresses the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.