Hillary Clinton launches White House bid: 'I'm in'
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton jumped into the fray as a 2008 presidential candidate with the words "I'm in" posted on her Web site.
"And I'm in to win," she added in a statement, announcing she has set up an exploratory committee that can gauge opinions and raise money for a presidential campaign.
Clinton's announcement comes on the same day that the next president will be inaugurated two years down the road: January 20, 2009.
The former first lady and Democratic senator from New York is considered her party's front-runner in what has become a diverse Democratic field.
Should she win, she would be the first woman to serve as president of the United States -- and the first presidential spouse to do so as well. President Bill Clinton served two terms from 1993 to 2001.
On Tuesday, Democrat Sen. Barack Obama announced that he was filing papers to form a presidential exploratory committee, a bid to become the first African-American president.
And on Sunday, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, also a Democrat, is expected to announce his bid, one that could make him the first Latino president.
Live 'Web chats' start Monday
Bringing "the right end" to the war in Iraq, reducing the deficit, making the country energy independent and health care affordable were issues Clinton touted in her announcement, speaking on a video posted on her site.
"After six years of George Bush, it is time to renew the promise of America," she said.
"I grew up in a middle-class family in the middle of America, and we believed in that promise," the 59-year-old Chicago native said.
"I still do. I've spent my entire life trying to make good on it, whether it was fighting for women's basic rights or children's basic health care, protecting our social security or protecting our soldiers."
On Sunday she'll appear at the Ryan Chelsea-Clinton Community Health Center to discuss legislation that would expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The center bears the names of the two Manhattan neighborhoods it serves -- Chelsea and Clinton -- as well as those of Clinton's daughter.
In the video, she invited Americans to join her in a three-night series of live video Web chats beginning Monday.
"So let's talk. Let's chat, let's start a dialogue about your ideas and mine, because the conversation in Washington has been just a little one-sided lately, don't you think?"
She'll travel next weekend to Iowa and later to New Hampshire, two kickoff states for the Democratic presidential nominating process in 2008, according to her campaign organizers.
When Clinton launched her Senate bid in New York in 1999, she began a "listening tour" around the state to explore views on education, business and health care issues.
Her Republican opponent, Rick Lazio, called her a "carpetbagger" because she had not previously lived in New York. But she beat him, becoming the first sitting first lady to win an elected office, and was re-elected last year with 67 percent of the vote.
A crowded field
Clinton's announcement puts her in a big Democratic crowd of candidates.
In a statement released Saturday, Obama said: "Senator Clinton is a good friend and a colleague whom I greatly respect. I welcome her and all the candidates, not as competitors, but as allies in the work of getting our country back on track."
In addition to Obama and Richardson, the field also includes former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, the party's 2004 vice presidential nominee, who declared his candidacy late last year; Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, a liberal critic of the war in Iraq; and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.
Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware and Chris Dodd of Connecticut have also said they will seek the nomination, and other Democrats mentioned as possible candidates include the party's 2004 presidential candidate, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts; retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, and the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Clinton wants troop cap, is wary of al-Maliki
Clinton, who just returned from a trip to U.S. military facilities in Afghanistan, Iraq and Germany, has urged the Bush administration to return its focus to Afghanistan.
She has proposed a bill to cap troop levels in Iraq and require congressional approval before the president may send more troops.
She has also been highly critical of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, saying Washington should cut off financial support to the Iraqi government unless it shows commitment to stemming the sectarian violence there.
"I don't have any faith," she said of al-Maliki, when asked by CNN if she had any faith in him.
In 2002, Clinton was among the majority in Congress who voted in favor of authorizing Bush to attack Iraq if Saddam Hussein refused to give up weapons of mass destruction as required by U.N. resolutions.
In a 2005 letter to constituents posted on her Senate Web site, she said that she took responsibility for her vote, which she said she made "on the basis of the evidence presented by the administration."
In turn, she said, "I, along with a majority of Americans, expect the president and his administration to take responsibility for the false assurances, faulty evidence and mismanagement of the war."
If she was cleaver she would stay away from anything to do with the middle east.
For whoever "wins?" The next presidency, the mid-east will be an inhereted factor in the brightest spotlight. The next president will be the one forced to answer and correct the questions being asked today.
In a mess like we are now in the best our next president can do is undo the current damage. It will take several presidential terms before we get a president that will have the option of implementing his/her own agends.
We are looking for a plumber to fix the broken sink, we can not afford the luxury of an archetect to redesign the kitchen.
If she was cleaver she would stay away from anything to do with the middle east.
Unfortunately she must address some issues. Leaders of countries are expected to have a position on foreign policy. I am sure there are many times that they would like to stay out of things. The problem for US presidents is that there are equally as many people that think they should have a position as think they should stay out.
You are right. If she could find a way to distance herself without appearing to be uncaring for the people in the east, she would do well. A difficult task considering the expectations on the position.
For whoever "wins?" The next presidency, the mid-east will be an inhereted factor in the brightest spotlight. The next president will be the one forced to answer and correct the questions being asked today.
In a mess like we are now in the best our next president can do is undo the current damage. It will take several presidential terms before we get a president that will have the option of implementing his/her own agends.
We are looking for a plumber to fix the broken sink, we can not afford the luxury of an archetect to redesign the kitchen.
I view her chances as slim. However remember Kennedy's chances were also slim. It was long believed that America would never elect a Catholic President, but Kennedy was not only elected, he became one of the most popular.
shes already stated that she doesnt want the troops in iraq
Her opposistion will also need to state that and be able to show that he/she has the ability to carry it through. At the moment a Rebublican candidate would not be viewed as capable of doing that.
The only chance a Republican candidate has to win the election would be for the Republicans to take steps now and get American troops honorably out of the mideast, thereby defusing that as a campaign issue.
With no major issue to oppose, a female Democrat candidate will have very little chance of winning.
On the world stage, I see nothing matter when it comes to whoever wins US Presidency. They're all the same to me. Forgive me if this sounds callous.
sad to say, but i agree. democrats-republicans are far too much alike. for example, i think if kerry had won last time, nothing would have changed, at least not as far as foreign policy. so i see the whole thing as a bit of a farce.
any one offering any real alternative hasn't a chance.
each man thinks of his own fleas as gazelles
question authority
but one person i do want to be candiate for the presidency is that black guy called............................................ ..(cant remember he's name)
but one person i do want to be candiate for the presidency is that black guy called............................................ ..(cant remember he's name)
Osama? or was it Obama....
Ėk Gusā Alhu Mėrā
The One Lord, the Lord of the World, is my God Allah.
Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Mahraaj Ji!
Kal Meh Bėḏ Atharbaṇ Hū Nā Kẖuḏā Alhu Bẖa.
In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Atharva Veda became prominent; Allah became the Name of God.
Hillary won't win and neither can Obama. They might win a Democratic primary, but not a national election. To win the presidency one must win the South, like Bill Clinton, but Hillary hasn't exactly been popular down there. Obama is too inexperienced, and he will not be prepared for the scutiny a presidential run will bring. The Dems should choose a more centrist, experienced candidate. Perhaps someone like Bill Richardson from New Mexico. I would vote for that guy and I'm a Republican.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
Hillary won't win and neither can Obama. They might win a Democratic primary, but not a national election. To win the presidency one must win the South, like Bill Clinton, but Hillary hasn't exactly been popular down there. Obama is too inexperienced, and he will not be prepared for the scutiny a presidential run will bring. The Dems should choose a more centrist, experienced candidate. Perhaps someone like Bill Richardson from New Mexico. I would vote for that guy and I'm a Republican.
See, I think that a woman or african-american could win president. I think it would be tougher for the democrats to take the risk of a female or black candidate. I think they might lose in primaries, when they could win in the big dog race.
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