Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Decision 2008: Hillary Clinton


Here is today's presidential candidate briefing.

The Democratic Giant in the 2008 Race, and the first woman candidate to actually have a shot at the White House. Friends and members of the Clinton family all felt Hillary would be president instead or before her husband. Well know she is ready to run and maybe become the first female president of the United States. Hillary Rodham was born in Chicago Illinois on Oct 26th, 1947. Clinton then Rodham was very involbed with her community early on in her life. She showed her leadership in her childhood. She was elected class president as Maine East High School and was a member of the student council and honor society. Clinton was raised as a conservative republican and started getting involved in politics campaigning for Barry Goldwater for president. She attended Wellesley College and served as her college's chapter of college republicans. Overtime Clinton gained more liberal views and before graduating as valedictorian of her class she officially became a member of the Democratic Party.She graduated with honors in political science. Her commencement address was featured in an article in the magizine Life because of her negative views against Sen. Edward Brooke. In 1969 she entered Yale Law School. 2 years later she began dating her future husband and President Bill Clinton. She began work on Sen. Walter Mondale's subcommittee on migrant workers. She also campaigned for George McGovern for President. In 1973 she recieved her J.D. degree in law from Yale. Clinton began work on the soon to be impeachment trial for President Nixon in 1974. She began teaching law in the University of Arkansas with her then boyfriend Bill Clinton in 1975 and later that year the couple married. Her husband began his political career with an unsuccessful campaign for congress which she worked vigorously on. Hillary Clinton joined the Rose Law Firm after the campaign. President Carter appointed Clinton to the Legal Services Coorperation Board in 1978. Also in 1978 her husband was elected governor of Arkansas making her the First Lady of Arkansas. She became the first full time woman partner of Rose Law Firm. The Clintons moved out of the Governor's mansion after her husband reelection lost and in the successful campaign to regain his office she began using the Clinton name. During her time as Arkansas First Lady she continued her work at Rose Law Firm. In 1988 she first learned of her husband's intentions to run for president, however they decided to wait 4 years before the Clintons began campaigning for the White House. In 1992 the campaign began. Her husband gained the Democratic Nomiantion after an upset win. He became known as the Comeback Kid after a 2nd place finish in the NH primary after being hurt by scandal. The Clintons moved into the White House after their win in November. She then became First Lady of the United States in January of 1993. Hillary became the first really active first lady working side by side woth her husband. She revolutionized the position and many called her Madam president. The Clinton White House was rocked by scandal and even Hillary was asked to testify for crimes committed by her law firm. Hillary Clinton became the face for women's rights and an extreme activist of women's rights. She stood by her husband during the Lewinski scandal even during the impeachment trials. After a tough 8 years in the White House Hillary Clinton began considering entering politics herself. After New York Senator Daniel Moynihan announced his retirement in 1999 many urged Clinton to run for his seat. After her announcement of her runnning she purchased a home in Northern New York and began working on the campaign trail. She became the first U.S. First Lady to run for elective office. Her 2000 senate run was expected to be challenged by her current presidential foe and then New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, howver he dropped out after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After Giuliani's exit GOP Congressman Rick Lazio decided to challenge Clinton. Hillary focused her campaign on outer NYC New York state since she had a strong base in NYC. Her team of investigators are credited for finding dirt that hurt the Lazio campaign. Her strategy worked on Nov. 7th, 2000 she defeated Lazio 55%-43% and was elected to the U.S. Senate. Clinton currently works on the Senate Armed Services, Environment and Public Works, and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Commitee. Hillary was a little known senator until after 9/11 when she helped raise billions of dollars for the rebuilding progress and became the a huge leader in the rebuilding and cleanign up of the site. She s strongly against the U.S. Involvement in Iraq and has worked continually against the president's plans for the country. Hillary was easily re-elected to the U.S. Senate defeated Fmr. Yonkers Mayor John Spencer 67%-31% in 2006. She is also credited for helping many successful democratic campaigns which gave her party control of congress. Specualtion of a Clinton presidential run had been raised way back when Gore lost his election in 2000. She declined to running in 2004 and said her aids stated she would consider a 2008 run. In late 2006 after the midterm elections Sen. Clinton was reported to be forming a campaign team and hiring a fundraiser for a possible 2008 presidential run. Finally on Jan. 20th, 2007 she made it official stating"I'm and I'm in to win." She formed a presidential exploratory but she has stated she is already running for president. She has just started making trips to early 2008 contests and is the clear frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. Currently the Democratic race in 2008 is said to be hers to lose. Like I said earlier she is the first serious presidential candidate that could actually win the White House. She is also the first U.S. First Lady to run for President of the United States.

Thats all for today. Stay tuned for a candidate briefing on Christopher Dodd.

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