Since going weepy on the eve of the New Hampshire primary succeeded in “humanizing” Hilllary Clinton a bit, she’s decided to push the envelope by indulging in some self-deprecating humor.

According to a story carried by the Associated Press, Senator Clinton welcomed her traveling press corps aboard her campaign plane yesterday with the following announcement:

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, and welcome aboard the maiden flight of Hil Force One."

"My name is Hillary and I am so pleased to have most of you on board. FAA regulations prohibit the use of any cell phones, Blackberries or wireless devices that may be used to transmit a negative story about me.

"In a few minutes, I am going to switch off the 'Fasten Your Seat Belt' sign. However, I've learned lately that things can get awfully bumpy when you least expect it—so you might want to keep those seat belts fastened.

"And in the event of an unexpected drop in poll numbers, this plane will be diverted to New Hampshire.

"If you look out from the right, you will see an America saddled with tax cuts for the wealthiest and a war without end. If you look out from the left, you will see an America with a strong middle class at home and a strong reputation in the world.

"Once we've reached cruising altitude, we'll be offering in-flight entertainment: my stump speech.

"Once again, thank you for joining us on Hil Force One. We know you have choices when you fly, and so we are grateful that you chose the plane with the most experienced crew. And so we are grateful that you chose the plane with the most experienced candidate."

As self-deprecating humor goes, I’m bound to say that this was a very effective performance. The bogus flight announcement is short, clever and genuinely funny. But does it show us a side of Senator Clinton that we have hitherto missed, or was she just putting on an act?

I’m reminded of a time over twenty years ago when First Lady Nancy Reagan resorted to the same type of humor. Mrs. Reagan’s image problem was that she was regularly depicted by the media as being concerned with designer gowns, expensive jewelry, fine china and very little else. So she made an appearance before the Washington press corps at the annual Gridiron banquet sporting an ensemble that looked like in had been pieced together with leftovers from some storefront church’s rummage sale.

For a punchline, she gave a hilarious rendition of “Second-hand Rose.”

Remember the song? If it was before your time, it goes like this:

I’m wearing second-hand hats,
Second-hand clothes,
That’s why they call me
Second-hand Rose.

The journalists present laughed, applauded –- and eased up in their negative coverage of Nancy Reagan.

Mrs. Reagan had discovered what Sen. Clinton has apparently discovered. Namely, that if you're a celebrity, and you abase yourself before a bunch of reporters, they’ll love you for it; at least for a little while.