It can't be easy to be Hillary Clinton. She has gone through the different stages of her life under intense scrutiny by the American public. The feisty newcomer, the scorned woman ... and latterly in the eyes of some ... the Wicked Witch of the West. She's kind of like the brattish daughter who puts a lot of the relatives noses out of joint, but who is nonetheless impossible to ignore. Americans seem to either love her or hate her. There is virtually nobody who on hearing her name will respond with a "ho hum" or "whatever".

In a way that's a plus factor that could work to her advantage. Hate is said to be closer to love, than it is to say ... bored indifference ... and there aren't too many people who are indifferent when it comes to Billary. Speaking of which, I don't see "Bill baggage" being the huge liability a lot of Republicans claim it will be. Let's face it, indiscretions involving blue dresses rank low, low, low on the list of screw ups when compared to say - Iraq, New Orleans, or even garbled use of English. Being a bit of a rake is much easier to forgive. Judging from the adoring crowds that attend the great man as he jets from speech to speech, he's sort of like an aging rock star who still moreover has all his hair - notwithstanding Monicagate roastings and a heart operation. So there is a bit of a refracted sheen there that could work to Hillary's advantage. Strange as it seems to his detractors - a lot of Americans do in fact love Bill Clinton.

Hillary's handlers are presenting her to the public as a political pro bar none ... experienced, worldly wise, tested ... compared to say Osama, I mean Obama (darn keys are slippery). Rumor has it that her aides were spooked into announcing her bid earlier than planned because of Obama's surprising upward mobility. Out of the gate she's looking pretty good. An ABC-Washington Post poll placed her at 41%, with Mr Obama lagging at 17% and Mr Edwards at 11%.

The challenge for her aides is to meld the steely and tested woman-of-power with warm down- home sincerity. Not easy. Hillary at times comes off looking as though she's acting when doing the empathy thing. She's better at the slightly haughty patrician glare. Nonetheless efforts are being made to ship her out and about in order to meet the people. Online video chats with voters are on the schedule and touchy feely meetings with groups of the faithful.

Questions of Hillary's electability, center around the infamous "baggage", personality issues and of course the dreaded "I" word - Iraq. She supported the invasion from the floor of the Senate and has recently been trying carve out a more independent position for herself by being sharply critical of Bush's handling of the war. But nonetheless, there are voters who will judge her harshly for backing Bush on Iraq - a chorus led by John Edwards. He has been complaining that she is too quiet about her position on the war, and that it's time to stand and deliver.

But bottom line, she has biology on her side. A large majority of Americans claim they are ready and willing to vote in a woman as President. It's just that with Hillary as the main contender-in- tights, evidence of Venusian characteristics may not be sufficient to persuade the cynical. A lot of people simply don't like the politician, female or not.

In the weeks ahead that may change. Hillary has surprised people before. She's good at rallying support when she needs it. In addition to her political clout and fundraising talents, there is the influential network that still owes allegiance to Bill Clinton. If all the plus factors come together in the absence of any major faux pas, she will be a hard contender to beat.

Meanwhile her handlers should advise her to avoid wearing blue dresses.