Clinton Begins Bid As Front-Runner
Clinton Begins Bid As Front-Runner
This article was published on Saturday, January 20, 2007 8:45 PM CST in NewsBy Dan BalzThe Washington PostEmail this story Print this story Comment on this story WASHINGTON -- New York Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday launched a long-anticipated 2008 presidential campaign that could make her the first female president in the nation's history.
"I'm in and I'm in to win," Clinton said on her campaign Web site early in the morning, and then spent the day at her Washington home making calls to supporters, donors and friends. Her announcement was timed to precede President Bush's State of the Union address Tuesday night, campaign advisers said, so she can draw a contrast with administration's record and help focus attention on the office of the presidency.
Their hope, they said, is to establish Clinton as the candidate best prepared to become the first Democrat in the White House since Bush succeeded Bill Clinton six years ago.
"The stakes will be high when America chooses a new president in 2008," she said in a statement posted on her Web site along with a video announcement. "As a senator, I will spend two years doing everything in my power to limit the damage George W. Bush can do. But only a new president will be able to undo Bush's mistakes and restore our hope and optimism."
With her immense star power, vast network of supporters and donors and seasoned team of political advisers, the 59-year-old Clinton long has topped every national poll of potential Democratic contenders.
Clinton begins the long campaign as the clear front-runner, according to a nationwide Washington Post-ABC News poll completed Friday night. The poll showed her the favorite of 41 percent of Democrats, more than double the support of any of her potential rivals.
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who established his exploratory committee last week, has generated enormous interest and attention, putting the Clinton camp on notice. The poll put him in second place among Democrats at 17 percent, but his support has not increased over the past month as he has moved toward a formal candidacy.
In hypothetical general election matchups against the two most prominent prospective GOP candidates, Clinton narrowly leads Arizona Sen. John McCain and is running about even with former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.
Clinton brings considerable assets to the race.
As a former first lady now serving her second term in the Senate, she has one of the best-known names in American politics. She has a national network of supporters, the capacity to raise as much or more money than any of her rivals and a risumi of political activity dating back decades that now includes six years in the Senate and a landslide victory last November.
And for the past 15 years, she has shown an ability to weather sometimes harsh attacks from her critics, especially among conservatives.
An influential player in her husband's political career in Arkansas, Hillary Clinton leapt to the national scene during the 1992 presidential campaign when husband and wife fought to survive the scandal over Gennifer Flowers' allegations of a lengthy affair with Bill Clinton when he was the state's governor.
There was more controversy as the couple battled allegations of impropriety over land deals and fundraising, missing records from her former Arkansas law firm and even her quick and hefty profits from an investment in cattle futures.
But those considerable assets have done nothing to ward off a sizable cadre of rivals. Other Democratic contenders include former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack; Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, the party's 2004 vice-presidential nominee. Delaware Sen. Joe Biden has said he will run and planned to formalize his intentions soon. Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the party's 2004 standard bearer, is also contemplating another run. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson plans to declare his intentions Sunday
The size and experience of the Democratic field underscores the reality that, for all of her support, fundraising potential and political muscle, Clinton continues to face questions about whether she can win a general election.
"I have never been afraid to stand up for what I believe in or to face down the Republican machine," she wrote on her Web site. "After nearly $70 million spent against my campaigns in New York and two landslide wins, I can say I know how Washington Republicans think, how they operate and how to beat them."
With a $14 million campaign treasury, Clinton starts with an impressive fundraising advantage over the rest of the Democratic field. But Obama and others have started to secure fundraising commitments from New York, California and other deep-pocketed, Clinton-friendly areas.
Clinton loyalists describe her as the least-known famous person in politics, by which they mean they do not believe people know the real Hillary Clinton. They hope to use town-hall meetings, living-room coffees and interactive Internet conversations to reintroduce her to voters.
"I am one of the millions of women who have waited all their lives to see the first woman sworn in as president of the United States -- and now we have our best opportunity to see that dream fulfilled," said Ellen Malcolm, president of EMILY's list, which raises money for Democratic women who run for office.
Campaign officials believe the potential for making history as the nation's first female president will give the campaign added energy, a talking point emphasized in a memo sent to supporters Saturday. "In particular, younger generation women believe it's time we had our first woman president and believe Hillary is the right choice," the memo said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reader Comments (6)The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsiblity of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.
reason wrote on January 21, 2007 8:40 AM:"Her sex is irrelevant. What matters is how she would run the country and so far she has not been clear on her policies. When I heard her speech to immigrants I was under the impression she was for amnesty. Yet she sounds differently somewhere else. Bill Clinton was tolerant of illegal immigration as well. I actually think she would be better than Bill, at least less sleezy. Her time would not be spent covering up her indiscretions, hopefully. I'll wait to hear what her policies are before getting excited. Hillary already released information about Obama having been educated for four years in a Muslim school abroad and the fact that he covered that up. His father named him Saddem and the Muslim group he was affiliated was radical. Not as important as the fact that he covered that up. Why all the hoopla about him anyway, just because he's personable? I think we'll probably get a better leader from the Republican camp, and I have never voted for a Republican, but expect to next. I want the immigration laws enforced and the Democrats voting record is worse than the Republicans. Furthermore I am fed up with the Democrats political correctness. If we don't profile, we'll have another 9/11. Lastly, the democrats have become more like socialists, and the Republicans are making more sense. "
No Way I'll Vote for Her wrote on January 21, 2007 11:36 AM:"OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA!"
Observer wrote on January 21, 2007 1:44 PM:"Gag me on this one! That's all we need is another Clinton in the White House! Maybe it will give them more time to clean out the White House furniture and fixtures that they tried to take when Bill left. The Clintons are sleazy opportunists and scam artists. I view Hillary as sleazy as Bill for being complicit in his dishonest ways by defending and upholding him. WE DO NOT NEED PROVEN CROOKS AND LIARS IN THE WHITE HOUSE! The Democratic policies have always resulted in high inflation, always higher taxes, liberal social policies that reward those who do not want to work, do nothing to restrict illegal immigration and erode our rights as citizens to excercise our Second Amendment rights. No thanks, anybody but Hillary. "
omg wrote on January 21, 2007 1:52 PM:"here we go again sad sad "
woman voter wrote on January 23, 2007 11:30 AM:"and Bush has done so much good. NOT behind every man there is a fantastic woman and she is running for President You go Hillary It's about time we get a woman to show these men..... Abama I don't think so....."
Greg wrote on January 23, 2007 6:23 PM:http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/01/25/news/0122107bcclinton.txt
This article was published on Saturday, January 20, 2007 8:45 PM CST in NewsBy Dan BalzThe Washington PostEmail this story Print this story Comment on this story WASHINGTON -- New York Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday launched a long-anticipated 2008 presidential campaign that could make her the first female president in the nation's history.
"I'm in and I'm in to win," Clinton said on her campaign Web site early in the morning, and then spent the day at her Washington home making calls to supporters, donors and friends. Her announcement was timed to precede President Bush's State of the Union address Tuesday night, campaign advisers said, so she can draw a contrast with administration's record and help focus attention on the office of the presidency.
Their hope, they said, is to establish Clinton as the candidate best prepared to become the first Democrat in the White House since Bush succeeded Bill Clinton six years ago.
"The stakes will be high when America chooses a new president in 2008," she said in a statement posted on her Web site along with a video announcement. "As a senator, I will spend two years doing everything in my power to limit the damage George W. Bush can do. But only a new president will be able to undo Bush's mistakes and restore our hope and optimism."
With her immense star power, vast network of supporters and donors and seasoned team of political advisers, the 59-year-old Clinton long has topped every national poll of potential Democratic contenders.
Clinton begins the long campaign as the clear front-runner, according to a nationwide Washington Post-ABC News poll completed Friday night. The poll showed her the favorite of 41 percent of Democrats, more than double the support of any of her potential rivals.
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who established his exploratory committee last week, has generated enormous interest and attention, putting the Clinton camp on notice. The poll put him in second place among Democrats at 17 percent, but his support has not increased over the past month as he has moved toward a formal candidacy.
In hypothetical general election matchups against the two most prominent prospective GOP candidates, Clinton narrowly leads Arizona Sen. John McCain and is running about even with former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.
Clinton brings considerable assets to the race.
As a former first lady now serving her second term in the Senate, she has one of the best-known names in American politics. She has a national network of supporters, the capacity to raise as much or more money than any of her rivals and a risumi of political activity dating back decades that now includes six years in the Senate and a landslide victory last November.
And for the past 15 years, she has shown an ability to weather sometimes harsh attacks from her critics, especially among conservatives.
An influential player in her husband's political career in Arkansas, Hillary Clinton leapt to the national scene during the 1992 presidential campaign when husband and wife fought to survive the scandal over Gennifer Flowers' allegations of a lengthy affair with Bill Clinton when he was the state's governor.
There was more controversy as the couple battled allegations of impropriety over land deals and fundraising, missing records from her former Arkansas law firm and even her quick and hefty profits from an investment in cattle futures.
But those considerable assets have done nothing to ward off a sizable cadre of rivals. Other Democratic contenders include former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack; Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, the party's 2004 vice-presidential nominee. Delaware Sen. Joe Biden has said he will run and planned to formalize his intentions soon. Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the party's 2004 standard bearer, is also contemplating another run. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson plans to declare his intentions Sunday
The size and experience of the Democratic field underscores the reality that, for all of her support, fundraising potential and political muscle, Clinton continues to face questions about whether she can win a general election.
"I have never been afraid to stand up for what I believe in or to face down the Republican machine," she wrote on her Web site. "After nearly $70 million spent against my campaigns in New York and two landslide wins, I can say I know how Washington Republicans think, how they operate and how to beat them."
With a $14 million campaign treasury, Clinton starts with an impressive fundraising advantage over the rest of the Democratic field. But Obama and others have started to secure fundraising commitments from New York, California and other deep-pocketed, Clinton-friendly areas.
Clinton loyalists describe her as the least-known famous person in politics, by which they mean they do not believe people know the real Hillary Clinton. They hope to use town-hall meetings, living-room coffees and interactive Internet conversations to reintroduce her to voters.
"I am one of the millions of women who have waited all their lives to see the first woman sworn in as president of the United States -- and now we have our best opportunity to see that dream fulfilled," said Ellen Malcolm, president of EMILY's list, which raises money for Democratic women who run for office.
Campaign officials believe the potential for making history as the nation's first female president will give the campaign added energy, a talking point emphasized in a memo sent to supporters Saturday. "In particular, younger generation women believe it's time we had our first woman president and believe Hillary is the right choice," the memo said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reader Comments (6)The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsiblity of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.
reason wrote on January 21, 2007 8:40 AM:"Her sex is irrelevant. What matters is how she would run the country and so far she has not been clear on her policies. When I heard her speech to immigrants I was under the impression she was for amnesty. Yet she sounds differently somewhere else. Bill Clinton was tolerant of illegal immigration as well. I actually think she would be better than Bill, at least less sleezy. Her time would not be spent covering up her indiscretions, hopefully. I'll wait to hear what her policies are before getting excited. Hillary already released information about Obama having been educated for four years in a Muslim school abroad and the fact that he covered that up. His father named him Saddem and the Muslim group he was affiliated was radical. Not as important as the fact that he covered that up. Why all the hoopla about him anyway, just because he's personable? I think we'll probably get a better leader from the Republican camp, and I have never voted for a Republican, but expect to next. I want the immigration laws enforced and the Democrats voting record is worse than the Republicans. Furthermore I am fed up with the Democrats political correctness. If we don't profile, we'll have another 9/11. Lastly, the democrats have become more like socialists, and the Republicans are making more sense. "
No Way I'll Vote for Her wrote on January 21, 2007 11:36 AM:"OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA!"
Observer wrote on January 21, 2007 1:44 PM:"Gag me on this one! That's all we need is another Clinton in the White House! Maybe it will give them more time to clean out the White House furniture and fixtures that they tried to take when Bill left. The Clintons are sleazy opportunists and scam artists. I view Hillary as sleazy as Bill for being complicit in his dishonest ways by defending and upholding him. WE DO NOT NEED PROVEN CROOKS AND LIARS IN THE WHITE HOUSE! The Democratic policies have always resulted in high inflation, always higher taxes, liberal social policies that reward those who do not want to work, do nothing to restrict illegal immigration and erode our rights as citizens to excercise our Second Amendment rights. No thanks, anybody but Hillary. "
omg wrote on January 21, 2007 1:52 PM:"here we go again sad sad "
woman voter wrote on January 23, 2007 11:30 AM:"and Bush has done so much good. NOT behind every man there is a fantastic woman and she is running for President You go Hillary It's about time we get a woman to show these men..... Abama I don't think so....."
Greg wrote on January 23, 2007 6:23 PM:http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/01/25/news/0122107bcclinton.txt
posted by presgore19 at 6:22 AM
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