Hillary Clinton’s underwhelming win of the New Hampshire Primary appears to have taken strategists, poll-watchers and political pundits by surprise. But those of us just cynical (or savvy) enough to anticipate the results of a her latest stra-tear-jerk move, called check right away.

Just 24 hours before the New Hampshire primaries, a teary-eyed Hillary Clinton sipped coffee at a local shop and whined about the trials and tribulations of campaigning, and the “pretty difficult odds” she faces.  A misty-eyed Hillary drew those in attendance (including national news networks) into her confidence,  "You know, this is very personal for me. It's not just political it's not just public. I see what's happening, and we have to reverse it. …"

After a round of applause and seemingly recovered, Mrs. Clinton went on to remind her audience (yet again) she was the best candidate for the democratic nod, "…some of us are right and some of us are wrong, some of us are ready and some of us are not, some of us know what we will do on day one and some of us haven't thought that through enough."

The possible end result of her nationally televised pity-fest was debated by strategists from both parties well into primary day, newschannels replayed the video until we could repeat verbatim each and every word and grimace of the 2 minute soundbyte, and most of those polled (no kidding, they actually polled this!) thought this “show” of emotion revealed a more human side of Hillary.

Then there are those of us who are truly confounded by someone who's successfully navigated some very public emotional turmoil for well over a decade, with such totally flat affect, suddenly displaying real human emotion.  Seems a bit curious, don't ya' think?

What makes her bid for “the sympathy vote” appear so contrived, is that all this emoting was in response to a pretty mundane question.  Marianne Pernold, a freelance photographer had asked Mrs. Clinton:  "As a woman, I know it's hard to get out of the house and get ready. How do you do it? Who does your hair?"

Could it be this was Mrs. Clinton’s single best chance (perhaps her last chance) to break a few hearts and Obama’s stride?  (After all, New Hampshire was beginning to look like a sure thing for Obama and planting just the right question might not be the best strategy.  Hmmm…..Go for it Hillary!) 

Calculated? 

Of course.   

Risky? 

Of course. 

Did it work? 

Of course!

It also left anchormen and Obama handlers scratching their heads, and quietly acknowledging her "spontaneous" emotional meltdown had tugged the heartstrings of unconvinced and undecided women in the granite state, a motivator not previously factored in.

Shortly after being declared the winner, the Presidential hopeful thanked supporters "Over the last week, I listened to you, and in the process I found my own voice. Now, together, let's give America the kind of comeback that New Hampshire has just given me." (one can only assume her "heart on her sleeve" gimic will be employed regularly throught the 2008 campaign.)

Basking in the glow of her new softer side, and ego-centric as ever, Hillary appeared on FOX News this morning, and supposed out loud of her show of emotion  "Maybe I have liberated us to actually let women be human beings in public life." 

So people, It appears, in one fell swoop, Hillary Clinton has not only stopped a formidable opponent dead in his tracks, but also liberated millions of women in the process!  What a girl!  Now we can all go have a good cry!