What Clinton Could Learn From Merkel

As I watch Hillary Clinton campaign, I can't help comparing her to the leader of the country where I live and write about politics: Chancellor Angela Merkel, the woman who broke through the glass ceiling in a political culture that was, until recently, as male-dominated as the U.S.'s. When it comes to women's rights, Clinton is a more vocal advocate for change -- but she may have something to learn from Merkel.

Clinton and Merkel have much in common. Both are studious, with an A-student mentality that emphasizes being prepared. Both value expertise and trust experts, and neither is known to lead on gut feeling. Both are vocal champions of alternative energy and preventing climate change. Both are opponents of the far right: Clinton has condemned the hatred exhibited by some followers of Donald Trump; Merkel has been a bulwark against the anti-immigrant xenophobia behind the Alternative for Germany party, which has been done well in recent polls and regional elections. Both are hardliners on Russia, which has recently meddled in their countries' domestic affairs.