what should she have done differently?
Stayed home.
People simply do not like this woman. Her unlikeability is so high, in fact, that even a relatively weak candidate like Obama can overtake her.
Two reasons I thought my preferred candidates -- Dodd or Biden -- actually had a chance. Hillary's utter unlikeability and Obama's lack of experience.
My guess is, Democrats feel like they went with intellect and experience in 2000 and 2004 and it got them nowhere. <sigh> I still prefer intellect and experience.