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New York Senator Hillary Clinton has announced she has taken
the first step toward a run for the presidency in 2008. VOA's Marissa
Melton reports.
Senator Hillary Clinton, wife of former
president Bill Clinton, announced her move on her website today, saying
"I'm in."
"I announced today that I am forming a presidential exploratory
committee," she said.
59-year-old Clinton criticized the Bush administration, saying after
six years of his presidency it is time to renew the promise of America.
She also laid out her own leadership goals.
"Let's talk about how to bring an end to the war in Iraq and restore
respect for America around the world," she added.
She also said she wants to talk about making the nation
energy-independent, free of foreign oil. And she mentioned several
domestic issues, including healthcare, an issue she concentrated on during
her time as First Lady in the 1990s.
In her announcement, she stressed her middle class roots, setting her
agenda to boost the prospects of the middle class whom she says has been
neglected under the Bush administration.
Clinton's announcement follows one earlier this week by another
possible frontrunner, African-American Barack Obama. He announced
formation of his exploratory committee on Tuesday.
Either candidate would be a "first" for the nation if elected. Clinton
would be the first female president of the United States, while Obama
would be the first African-American.
Republican Senator Sam
Brownback of the Midwestern U.S. state of Kansas announced his candidacy
for the 2008 race today. He called for a bipartisan strategy to win the
war in Iraq, and he called for a renewal of conservative Christian values.
"...set the record of history.To walk away from the Almighty is to
embrace decline for a nation," he said. "To embrace Him leads to renewal
for individuals and for nations."
The anti-abortion candidate also called on Americans to, "protect all
innocent life."
Brownback faces competition for the Republican presidential nomination
from such possible contenders as the high-profile Senator John McCain of
Arizona and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani. | 
