The district she won is a working-class one, and she sold herself as an "everyman" fighting for their interests. What gets lost in the noise is that while she was born there, she spent most of her life growing up and living in an extremely wealthy District not far from there. In terms of actual upbringing, she's much closer to a Romney or wealthy establishment type then she is a Joe plumber.
That's not to say she isn't capable. I'm just simply pointing out that her image as she sells it doesn't match her profile.
Edit: this whole rent thing is actually a great example. She can of course afford an apartment. However, she wants to play up the image of someone struggling to pay their bills, so she pushes this story.
While the part about her not living most of her younger life in the Bronx, what makes you say she's closer to a Romney lifestyle...
In terms of upbringing, not so much her current lifestyle. Romney is a special kind of out of touch.
Also, she owns a publishing company (unless it's gone under). She can afford rent. ---
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