“The difference is now for Sen. Clinton that she learned a lot from that experience,” said Donna Shalala, who served eight years as secretary of Health and Human Services under President Clinton. “The fact is that she’s learned a lot about tactics and a lot about getting things done,” said Shalala, who is now president of the University of Miami.

A Democratic healthcare consultant said Sen. Clinton will be vulnerable to attacks again but it would not stop her from tackling the issue head-on.

“She could unveil President Bush’s healthcare plan and the Republicans would call it a government takeover of healthcare,” the consultant remarked. “People are kind of tired of that rhetoric. … [The GOP] would do that for every presidential candidate who has a ‘D’ by their name.”

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