Can Hillary Actually Pull It Off? [OPINION]

As it becomes more and more evident that Hillary Clinton is giving serious thought to a third White House bid, I can't seem to settle in my own mind whether she has a shot at winning the nomination, let alone the presidency.

With Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders and Beto O'Rourke leading a field of possible Democrat candidates for the nomination, it seems almost plausible that Clinton could eke out a win. There could be as many as 36 Democrats seeking the nomination. In a crowded field, Clinton certainly has the name recognition, the money, and the organization to pull it off, but what would a rematch with Donald Trump look like?

Fox News political analyst Lisa Boothe, on the other hand, makes the case that Clinton will never be elected president because she is "inauthentic, unlikable and out of touch." Boothe recalls a 2016 comment from former Obama adviser and Democrat strategist David Axelrod, when he suggested that Clinton lacked the authenticity to win:

“Authenticity is a big factor and a leading indicator for candidates, and they have to be comfortable in their own skin," he said. "There is no one wishing that Donald Trump would speak his mind. Hillary Clinton has always been allergic to revealing herself, and when she does talk, it comes out through a political filter.”

Hillary Clinton is not and has never been comfortable in her own skin, and that makes voters uncomfortable with her. Clinton's entire public persona is manufactured and guarded. Her positions on issues--like her accent--appear to change with her geographical location on the campaign map.

I don't know whether Hillary Clinton has what it takes to win the Democrat nomination, let alone the White House, but I do believe she is giving it more than casual consideration. One thing we learned a long time ago, you don't underestimate the Clintons' ability to bounce back.

Be forewarned.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.