BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- New York Senator
Hillary Clinton said Sunday she can be the next U.S. president,
but expects a spirited contest with other Democrats pursuing the party's
2008 nomination.
"I'm looking forward to it. It'll be a great contest with a lot of talented people and I'm very confident. I'm in,
I'm in it to win and that's what I intend to do," she said at her first public
appearance since announcing her candidacy on Saturday.
Clinton's comments came during a visit to a Manhattan
community health clinic, where she was promoting a federal children's healthcare
program.
Clinton said she intended to introduce legislation to
expand the children's health insurance program to all families who need it,
regardless of income. Aides said Clinton was determined to attend to her senate
duties throughout the campaign.
The room swarmed with media -- some two dozen
television camera crews jockeyed for position with scores of reporters from as
far away as Germany, proof of her status as a leading presidential
contender..
Clinton said she decided to run after talking to
family, friends and supporters since her re-election in November.
"It was a thorough review for me about the problems
we confront in the country, the particular strengths and talents I would
bring -- both to the race and the White House," Clinton explained.
"I concluded, based on the work of my lifetime and my
experience and my understanding of what our country has to confront in order to
continue to make opportunity available to all of our citizens here and to
restore our leadership and respect of America around the world, that I would be
able to do that -- to bring our country together to meet those tough
challenges," she said.
Earlier on Sunday, one of her White House rivals said
Clinton is the favorite right now for the Democratic nomination but added that
the party is a "lifetime" away from making its 2008 choice.
"I think she's incredibly formidable and has got to
be the front-runner and the odds-on pick right now. But this is a marathon.
There's a long way to go," said Democratic senator Joe Biden of Delaware.
The former first lady joined the race on Saturday,
hoping to become the first female U.S. president.
A crowded field of Democratic candidates is led by
Clinton, Illinois senator Barack Obama and 2004 vice presidential nominee John
Edwards. New Mexico governor Bill Richardson jumped in on Sunday.
(Agencies)
