However, the first twenty of those years were as first lady to Bill Clinton, initially in Arkansas and then in Washington, DC. Moreover, the primary reason she was able to build a subsequent political career as a senator and secretary of state was precisely because of her unconventionally deep involvement in her husband’s administrations. Indeed, during his 1992 run for the presidency, Bill Clinton bragged that by electing him, Americans would be getting a “two-for-one.”
This seemed to hurt her. Anecdotally, it seemed those who remember Hilary from the Bill presidency the most, seemed to hate her the most. I was surprised at how many parents of people in my age bracket voted for Trump. I remember the vitriol back then and it seemed for many it had only pickled more through the years. And for those who were neutral or had a mild like or dislike back then, there was no glamour or great causes to recall. Universal Health Care was a very noble push at the time, but it also brought up her and Bill's biggest policy Waterloo. Older voters with memories crushed her. Many people "just hated" "couldn't stand" Hilary before Trump ever came on the scene. Trump debasing her seemed to stir something in them they had been waiting for.
The younger seemed to associate Hilary as the establishment lady, even Obama played on that when he ran against her, pro-Iraq war, and all. Then all the mistakes made during Obama's administration seemed to have her fingerprints on her, Wall Street shenanigans, State Dept. screw ups, etc. This was a case where being experienced, being qualified, being assertive, being knowledgeable, being connected, being able to get stuff done, having a record, weren't "qualifications" but "dirty fingers". Being a hopeless romantic, more a political poet, than politician (Bernie) or a cultural demolitions expert with no political knowledge (Trump) were better non-qualifications.
Also, all the popularity of Bill seemed to have been put in deep freeze as he was completely backstage for so much of the campaign (Funnily enough, I actually forgot they were married many times). Bill brought the warmth, charisma and aw shucks common man that balanced Hilary during his reign (even if some of it was studied, or used for disingenuous ends, people believed it). B. Clinton was kind of the first goober, who acted like a goober, to get in. Ice Man Gore made a mistake trying to distance himself from Bill and it cost him. As it did the Snow Queen. I think Hilary was afraid Bill would bring up too much scandal in the seasons of Weinergate and Cosby's fall and made the same mistake.
If I knew all mysteries and all knowledge, and have not charity, I am nothing. St. Paul
I hang onto my prejudices, they are the testicles of my mind. Eric Hoffer