Americans from across the political spectrum played and replayed the clip, pausing on every flicker of expression on Clinton’s face, asking questions like: After a political lifetime of keeping her emotions secret, why was Clinton finally letting her guard down? Was it a spontaneous outburst or a calculated show?

Meanwhile, in a telephone interview, Marianne Pernold Young, 64, the photographer whose question prompted Clinton’s choked-up response at a coffee for undecided New Hampshire voters, said she was stuck between Clinton and Obama.

Young sounded mystified over the reaction to her question. After all, her original inquiry to Clinton had been a fairly light one. “My question is personal: How do you do it?” she had asked Clinton. “Who does your hair?”