HILLARY CLINTON: "I'm in. And I'm in to Win."

Senator Hillary Clinton has announced her candidacy for the presidency of the United States. See the video on her website. In an email message sent to her supporters early Saturday, Senator Clinton wrote: "I'm in. And I'm in to win." On Monday, January 22nd, for three nights in a row, she will be participating in discussions on her website, allowing anyone to ask her questions and understand her as a candidate. She issued the following statement on her website:

Today I am announcing that I will form an exploratory committee to run for president.

And I want you to join me not just for the campaign but for a conversation about the future of our country -- about the bold but practical changes we need to overcome six years of Bush administration failures.

I am going to take this conversation directly to the people of America, and I'm starting by inviting all of you to join me in a series of Web chats over the next few days.

The stakes will be high when America chooses a new president in 2008.

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.

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?

No matter where you live, no matter what your political views, I want you to be a part of this important conversation right at the start. So to begin, I'm going to spend the next several days answering your questions in a series of live video Web discussions.

Starting Monday, January 22, at 7 p.m. EST for three nights in a row, I'll sit down to answer your questions about how we can work together for a better future. And you can participate live at my Web site. Sign up to join the conversation here.

I grew up in a middle-class family in the middle of America, where I learned that we could overcome every obstacle we face if we work together and stay true to our values.

I have worked on issues critical to our country almost all my life. I've fought for children for more than 30 years. In Arkansas, I pushed for education reform. As first lady, I helped to expand health care coverage to millions of children and to pass legislation that dramatically increased adoptions. I also traveled to China to affirm that women's rights are human rights.

And in the Senate, I have worked across party lines to get billions more for children's health care, to stop the president's plan to privatize Social Security, and to make sure the victims and heroes of 9/11 and our men and women in uniform receive the fair treatment they deserve. In 2006, I led the successful fight to make Plan B contraception available to women without a prescription.

I have spent a lifetime opening opportunities for tens of millions who are working hard to raise a family: new immigrants, families living in poverty, people who have no health care or face an uncertain retirement.

The promise of America is that all of us will have access to opportunity, and I want to run a 2008 campaign that renews that promise, a campaign built on a lifetime record of results.

I have never been afraid to stand up for what I believe in or to face down the Republican machine. 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.

I need you to be a part of this campaign, and I hope you'll start by joining me in this national conversation.

As we campaign to win the White House, we will make history and remake our future. We can only break barriers if we dare to confront them, and if we have the determined and committed support of others.

This campaign is our moment, our chance to stand up for the principles and values that we cherish; to bring new ideas, energy, and leadership to a uniquely challenging time. It's our chance to say 'we can' and 'we will.'

Let's go to work. America's future is calling us.

Senator Clinton's announcement came early and strong. She states that she wants to "start a conversation" and is offering her own blog as a starting point for opening the discussion, telling the media and her followers that she wants to use modern technology to gain strength - just as Howard Dean gained his force and popularity in 2003. Here is what she writes on her blog page, as well as the link to be part of the dialogue:

Soon we'll launch the official blog of HillaryClinton.com, a crucial part of our exciting national conversation about the direction of our country and the place to go to learn more about Hillary.

We know our readers are going to have a lot to say, so we want to give you the first word.

We're looking for your ideas on how we can work together for change. If you'd like to write the very first guest post on the HillaryClinton.com blog, submit your entry in the form below. And if you already have your own blog or other website, please post your entry there and let us know about it. We'll select one entry as the first guest post on our blog.

To sign up, click here.

Mrs. Clinton, if successful, will be the first female nominee of a major US party. However, her announcement comes at the heels of Barack Obama, another major player in the Democratic primaries. Obama is also considered a more likeable candidate, but on without as much experience as Mrs. Clinton, and without the donor power.

Also, Clinton's announcement overshadows that of Senator Sam Brownback, the conservative Republican candidate from Texas. Mr. Brownback is most anti-abortion, homophobic candidate thus far on the Republican side and may garner most of the votes from conservative evangelicals as well as much of the funds. He is also one of the few candidates who can steal funding from John McCain, who has yet to announce but has been campaigning since almost 2002, and the first prominent Republican to officially announce his presidency.

As far as Mrs. Clinton's chances, she is both loved and hated. Most Democrats love her, and she is centrist enough to not alienate the Democrats that lean a little more right. But she is hated by Republicans passionately, and simply by running she could bring them out to vote in large numbers. Also, some of the far left dislike her because she voted for the war in Iraq and is against same sex marriage (although she is for same-sex unions). But with a strong running mate (perhaps Barack Obama?) she is a viable candidate, and the race for the presidency will be exciting.