Hillary Clinton “really” loves to talk over drinks, according to a longtime confidante.
Negotiating “over adult beverages” would be a feature over what the New York Times portrays as a Clinton presidential style that would resemble that of Ronald Reagan or Lyndon Johnson, both legendary schmoozers.
“Her greatest strength is that she really listens to people, she understands what their political and policy needs are, and she tries to find that space where you can compromise,” said Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress and a former adviser to both Bill and Hillary Clinton.
“To be crystal clear: She has led many battles where you can’t compromise on principle,” Tanden told the Times. “But she also loves socializing, loves having people and spouses over, and really loves talking over drinks.”
Richard Socarides, another former adviser to President Clinton, echoed Tanden’s observation. “She likes to cajole, she likes to make deals, and she likes to make friends,” Socarides said. “And she knows it’s much harder to go after someone who you basically like, who you’ve had a drink with.”
Clinton famously revealed in December that she once engaged in a drinking contest with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, the GOP’s 2008 presidential nominee. “We both, I think, agreed to withdraw in honorable fashion I think after having reached the limits that either of us should have had,” Clinton recollected.
