Hillary Clinton made a show trip of taking the subway Thursday to convey to New Yorkers she's just like them, and the press played along, even though Clinton struggled as she tried to navigate the system.
"Hillary Clinton is just your average person," Politico reported.
ABC News said in its own write-up, "Hillary Clinton was just like us today."
"Hillary Clinton took the New York City subway this morning, to show that she is a woman of the people," Gawker said.
Hillary Clinton walking through the turnstile, ready to take the subway. (Pics via pooler @danmericaCNN) pic.twitter.com/HbYd6g0IRn
— Liz Kreutz (@ABCLiz) April 7, 2016
Just an average commuter: @HillaryClinton rides a New York City subway in the Bronx. https://t.co/yy6sWjEd3M pic.twitter.com/P5vgzXBtq8
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) April 7, 2016
Hillary Clinton rode the subway this morning & even used a MetroCard (not a token) https://t.co/0o2UIJ1mjb pic.twitter.com/pulgYxozET
— amNewYork (@amNewYork) April 7, 2016
The Democratic presidential candidate's subway trip, which was planned months in advance, was sidelined, however, when she failed several times to pay her fare and pass through the turnstile.
Not to worry, reporters said. This happens all the time.
Yes, it took Hillary Clinton three or four swipes to get through the turnstile. Also, it takes everyone three or four swipes.
— Dan Merica (@danmericaCNN) April 7, 2016
Clinton is just your average person, she can't get the subway card to work (me either) it took her five tries. https://t.co/ls8XsDEUDT
— Eliza Collins (@elizacollins1) April 7, 2016
The Democratic front-runner was joined on her subway junket through New York Thursday by her secret service detail, her traveling press corps and a gaggle of photojournalists.
Clinton, who has also not driven a car in 20 years, is not one for public transportation. It has been nearly two years since she last rode the subway, she told reporters Thursday.