Hillary Clinton Gets In The Race

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) announced via her web site this morning that she will become a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008. Technically, she said she's forming an "exploratory committee," but those groups are meant to examine the viability of more low-profile candidates and not the likes of Senator Clinton or Barack Obama (D-IL) who announced on Tuesday that he is entering the race.

Things have gotten a hell of a lot more interesting in just five days, haven't they?

Appearing on her web site, which is now festooned with a "Hillary for President" banner, Clinton said emphatically "I'm in."

"I'm not just starting a campaign though, I'm beginning a conversation -- with you, with America," said Clinton, in a brief announcement webcast. "After six years of George Bush, it is time to renew the promise of America."

Here's an excerpt from the statement on her site:

Only a new president can renew the promise of America -- the idea that if you work hard you can count on the health care, education, and retirement security that you need to raise your family. These are the basic values of America that are under attack from this administration every day.

And only a new president can regain America's position as a respected leader in the world.

I believe that change is coming November 4, 2008. And I am forming my exploratory committee because I believe that together we can bring the leadership that this country needs. I'm going to start this campaign with a national conversation about how we can work to get our country back on track.

This is a big election with some very big questions. How do we bring the war in Iraq to the right end? How can we make sure every American has access to adequate health care? How will we ensure our children inherit a clean environment and energy independence? How can we reduce the deficits that threaten Social Security and Medicare?

Senator Clinton joins a growing and diverse field that includes Senators Obama, Joe Biden (D-DE) and Chris Dodd (D-CT), former Senator John Edwards, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack and Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH). New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is also expected to join the race this weekend.

We're still waiting to hear definitive statements from John Kerry, Wesley Clark and Al Gore, but get ready for one hell of a primary ride.