HILLARY ENTERS PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Finally, the long awaited decision to run for the presidency is no longer a whispering campaign by media and political pundits. Her decision to form an exploratory committee will send chills to the declared and non-declared aspirants to the oval office.

Ms. Clinton brings to the nation’s political landscape a long resume of accomplishments. As a First Lady, she advocated during her husband's presidency for universal health care. Other countries are providing universal health care. The United States is far behind it's European allies.

As a United States Senator, she has been able to work together with other senators on both sides of the aisle on issues confronting the nation and New York State. She has been outspoken on providing health benefits to the victims and first responders to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, on September 11, 2001.

Yes, she voted in favor of the resolution authorizing the use of military force In Iraq. This will be a major obstacle in her quest for the presidency. However, on a recent trip to Baghdad, she was able to see that the present posture of President George W. Bush sending 21,500 more troops to Iraq was wrong. Hillary Clinton’s recent proclamation on Iraq— calling for caps on troops levels, but not advocating cutting funds for the war will be a major obstacle to satisfy the war opponents who are now the vast majority of America. The results of the last election showed that voters across the political landscape of this country, voted to keep the Republicans out of control of both house of congress. Now, Bush is again sending more troops to Iraq without congressional authorization. At least 19 American service members were killed in military operations Saturday in the deadliest day for U.S. forces in two years, including 12 who died in a helicopter crash and five slain in an attack by militia fighters in the holy city of Karbala, military officials said.

Saturday's toll was the third-highest of any single day since the war began in March 2003.
The heavy toll comes at a critical time of rising congressional opposition to President Bush's decision to dispatch 21,500 additional soldiers to the conflict to try to curb sectarian slaughter.

Meanwhile, other Democratic presidential aspirants are playing the Republican Party cards by dividing the Democrats against each other’s. The Republican Party with the assistance of the national media has catapulted junior Illinois Senator Barak Obama to the leading rival of Senator Clinton. The Republicans are aware that they may lose the Oval Office after the disaster of President George W. Bush's administration. The only hope they have is to divide the Democrats—and Senator Obama is their ideal candidate. This is not dispersion on the Illinois senator. He is young, intelligent and above all charismatic. But he is not ready yet, for prime time.
However, there is always the scenario that she would choose Obama as her running mate. Politically, she has earned the allegiance of the African American and Spanish Speaking community. Both by association with her husband and by being on the right side of minority issues, Clinton has credibility. There is always the possibility that she would align with Obama as insurance. Is America ready for a woman president and a black vice president? This is open to debate. But then again, whoever thought that an ill spoken, awol governor from Texas could lead the nation.