Democratic senators, anxious over Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJoe Biden looks to expand election battleground into Trump country Biden leads Trump by 12 points among Catholic voters: poll The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden goes on offense MORE’s inability to pull away from Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBubba Wallace to be driver of Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin NASCAR team Graham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Southwest Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE, have some advice for their nominee: Be more open, show your soul, focus on the economy and talk about blue-collar jobs.

Recent polls show Trump within striking distance of Clinton in the presidential election, defying predictions in Washington that he is doomed in November.

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The Republican nominee's ability to stay competitive while running an unconventional campaign has underscored what Democratic lawmakers see as the need for Clinton to improve in certain areas.

These lawmakers, who served with Clinton in Congress and have known her for years, say her public persona is too guarded.

They struggle to reconcile the charismatic, warm and funny woman they know in private with Clinton’s public persona, which can come across as stern, aloof or annoyed.

Democratic senators say it’s natural for Clinton to put up her guard, because she has been the target of Republican attacks for decades. But they think she might benefit from relaxing a little more on the campaign trail.

“Her decades in this arena have taken their toll,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinBiden leads Trump by 12 points among Catholic voters: poll Names to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court McConnell says Trump nominee to replace Ginsburg will get Senate vote MORE (D-Calif.). “When you’re hit a lot there’s almost an unconscious shield that controls the answers to your questions. I think she’s got to get rid of that and just let herself be."

“Everybody that knows her loves her. They know her heart is full,” she added. “That’s what she ought to do, just take the shield away from the heart.”

Vice President Biden offered similar advice earlier in the week, calling on her to be “more open.”

Clinton has had the most difficulty connecting with white, working-class voters. A nationwide CNN/ORC poll released Tuesday showed Trump beating Clinton among white voters without college degrees, 66 percent to 23 percent.

Many of these voters question her trustworthiness.

The poll showed Trump leading Clinton by 2 points among likely voters nationwide, 45 percent to 42 percent. Voters gave Clinton a slightly higher unfavorable rating.

Biden thinks she can put those doubts to rest by being less guarded.

“Hillary knows it’s a problem, and she’s trying to figure out how to remedy it. And my advice to her, the best way to remedy it, is to talk about what you care about and talk about it with some passion,” he told CNN.

He advised her to “open up” and let voters “see your heart a little more.”

Some Senate Democrats think Biden’s right but caution that Clinton can’t pretend to be someone she’s not.

“It would be great if she showed her soul more, but she’s got to be comfortable and it has to be authentic,” said one senator, who requested anonymity to offer a frank assessment.

The lawmaker said Clinton is not a “soaring orator or a slap-you-on-the-shoulder politician like Joe Biden Joe BidenJoe Biden looks to expand election battleground into Trump country Trump puts Supreme Court fight at center of Ohio rally Special counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report MORE” but nevertheless could act more naturally, like she often does in private settings with allies, donors and friends.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus criticized Clinton Wednesday as appearing angry and defensive during a national security forum hosted by NBC.

Clinton defended herself during a press conference Thursday, arguing her demeanor fit the subject matter.

“I had a very short window of time in that event last night to convey the seriousness with which I would approach the issues that concern our country,” she told reporters.

Sen. Jon Tester Jonathan (Jon) TesterPence seeks to boost Daines in critical Montana Senate race This World Suicide Prevention Day, let's recommit to protecting the lives of our veterans Filibuster fight looms if Democrats retake Senate MORE (Mont.), the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, noted some of the critiques of Clinton “have been said for a long time; you have to be more open, you’ve got to show more personality.”

He said that voters have gotten to know Clinton, and most think she’ll do a good job as president. He applauded Clinton’s increased media availability in recent days as something that makes her more accessible to voters.

“That’s a good thing,” Tester said. “The more transparent, the better.”

Clinton's campaign signaled Thursday that it was taking the advice. A top aide told The Washington Post that Clinton would open up about her faith and values, and she took the first step when she gave a personal address Thursday night to the National Baptist Convention.

Clinton’s tone during speeches and debates has been a charged topic throughout the campaign. Pundits who suggest she should soften her demeanor and lower her voice have faced accusations that such criticism is inherently sexist.

Clinton’s other big vulnerability is the economy. Polls consistently show that voters have more confidence in Trump, a billionaire real estate mogul, to jump-start growth.

Feinstein says Clinton should talk more about the loss of manufacturing jobs and what the federal government can do to rebuild the manufacturing base.

She said Clinton should talk about “keeping companies here” and “enabling tech to do manufacturing here instead of abroad.”

Feinstein said one policy solution would be to give companies with billions of dollars stashed overseas a tax break on repatriating their profits in exchange for pledges to invest in domestic factories.

Sen. Jeff Merkley Jeffrey (Jeff) Alan MerkleyThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support Sunday shows - Trump team defends coronavirus response Oregon senator says Trump's blame on 'forest management' for wildfires is 'just a big and devastating lie' MORE (Ore.), the only Democratic senator who endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersJacobin editor: Primarying Schumer would force him to fight Trump's SCOTUS nominee Trump campaign plays up Biden's skills ahead of Cleveland debate: 'He's actually quite good' Young voters backing Biden by 2:1 margin: poll MORE (Vt.) during the primary, said Clinton needs to put more emphasis on creating high-paying blue-collar jobs.

“The biggest concern is living-wage jobs,” he said. “She’s laid out a strong infrastructure program that will put a lot of people to work ... but I think the issue of living-wage jobs needs to be talked a lot more."

Merkley says the income erosion suffered by middle-class families is a big reason for the discontent that has roiled this election cycle.

“It’s at the heart of the fact that blue-collar families are not doing as well as they were doing 20 or 30 years ago,” he added.

Sen. Ben Cardin Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinCongress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out PPP application window closes after coronavirus talks deadlock Congress eyes tighter restrictions on next round of small business help MORE (D-Md.) gives Clinton high marks for her performance this year and praised her campaign ads as highly effective.

“She’s running her campaign the way it needs to be run,” he said.

He acknowledged that voters have reservations about Clinton but argued they have much deeper concerns about a Trump presidency.

He suggested, however, that she focus on the economy and work on erasing Trump’s lead on the issue.

“I think the economy is still one of the most important issues. She has to concentrate on the economy. At the end of the day, people do vote the economy, so that’s a critical and important part of the campaign,” he said.