emocratic Senator Hillary
Clinton has taken the first step towards running for the US
presidency in 2008.
Sen Clinton, 59, wife of former President
Bill Clinton, announced on her website: "I'm in to win."
The former first lady has set up a
presidential exploratory committee, testing the waters for a
full bid.
Her announcement comes days after
African-American Democratic Senator Barack Obama said he had
formed an exploratory committee.
In a videotaped and written message on her
website, Sen Clinton said it was time "to overcome six years of
Bush administration failures.
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Only a new president can regain America's
position as a respected leader in the world
Hillary Clinton statement
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"The stakes will be high when America chooses
a new president in 2008," she said.
"Only a new president can regain America's
position as a respected leader in the world.
"This is a big election with some very big
questions. How do we bring the war in Iraq to the right end?"
she asked, in addition to mentioning several domestic issues,
including health care, the environment and "energy
independence".
Sen Clinton said she planned to answer
questions in web chats on three consecutive nights, starting on
Monday.
Her announcement brings to at least seven the
number of declared Democratic presidential hopefuls.
'Front runner'
The BBC's Matt Frei in Washington says Sen
Clinton's announcement has not surprised many but the specific
timing of it this week is significant.
He says the senator was thought to want to
declare her intentions later in the year, but her hand was
forced by the man who is currently capturing the headlines and
many of the hearts of the democratic rank and file - Mr Obama.
Sen Clinton would become the first former
first lady to seek presidential office, while Mr Obama's entry
into the race would raise the possibility of the US having its
first black president.
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Born 26 October, 1947 in
Chicago
Attended Wellesley College
Graduated from Yale Law
School in 1973
Married Bill Clinton in 1975
Campaigner for expanding
health insurance coverage and woman's rights
Elected New York senator in
2000; re-elected 2006
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Mr Obama is one of the
Democratic Party's rising stars, having electrified the 2004
Democratic convention with a powerful speech.
Sen Clinton is currently serving as a senator
for New York, having won a second term by a landslide last
November.
Correspondents say that her unbeatable name
recognition and unmatched fundraising ability make her a clear
front runner for the Democrats.
Yet she is also seen as a divisive figure.
Some estimates say one in three Americans would never vote for
her.
Our correspondent says Sen Clinton's biggest
policy problem is that she supported the Iraq war and at one
stage even called for more troops to be deployed there.
Mr Obama's biggest problem is that as a
45-year-old first-term senator in a time of war, he is
relatively inexperienced, our correspondent adds.
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The real issue is who can lead a country
fighting on two fronts, protect our economy and
borders and still manage to keep a few friends?
Philip DeMarco, USA
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Meanwhile, Republican senator Sam Brownback
on Saturday declared his intention to seek his party's
nomination for a 2008 run.
Correspondents say he may get strong support
from social conservatives and the religious right, but he faces
as many as 10 other potential Republican candidates.
