2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Hillary Cinton "Let The Conversation Begin!" Iowa Video

Hillary "Let The Conversation Begin!" Iowa Photos

New Numbers Show Supporters Coming To Clinton Web Site

New Numbers Show Supporters Flocking to Clinton Web Site

Campaign has signed up more than 140,000 supporters through the site in the five days since her announcement Saturday morning

Over 50,000 messages of support and over 11,000 blog contest submissions have already been submitted; 50,000 participated in live video webcasts

Supporters are flocking to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign web site at an historic rate, further demonstrating the groundswell of enthusiasm generated by her candidacy. Specifically, some 140,000 supporters have signed up as supporters through the campaign web site, www.hillaryclinton.com in the last five days alone.

"The online response has been overwhelming," Clinton Internet Director Peter Daou said. "140,000 people have signed up since we launched, including nearly a hundred thousand who signed up in the first 48 hours. Senator Clinton's three consecutive live web conversations were attended by tens of thousands of viewers who asked more than 25,000 questions."

Clinton Hires JoDee Winterhof To Lead Iowa Campaign

CLINTON HIRES FORMER HARKIN CHIEF-OF-STAFF JODEE WINTERHOF TO LEAD IOWA OPERATION

Fourth-generation Iowan is veteran of numerous campaigns in the state

The Clinton presidential campaign announced today that veteran Iowa operative JoDee Winterhof will run its state operation. Winterhof, a fourth-generation Iowan, served as Sen. Tom Harkin's chief-of-staff from 1999-2003, and worked on his presidential and senatorial campaigns.

"I am joining this effort because we need a new direction and new leadership in this country. Hillary Clinton has the experience and vision to lead this country from the moment she steps into office," Winterhof said today. "I grew up in Walnut, Iowa and love nothing more than introducing someone to more people and places across this great state. Senator Clinton is looking forward to many conversations with Iowans over the coming months and I am honored to have this opportunity to join her in this effort.

"I'm thrilled that JoDee has agreed to run my campaign in Iowa," Senator Clinton said. "She's a great organizer who clearly loves her home state, and will be a great asset to my team."

Hillary Clinton To Begin Conversation With Iowans This Saturday

CLINTON TO BEGIN CONVERSATION WITH IOWANS SATURDAY IN DES MOINES

Senator Clinton will visit Iowans in their homes and communities to begin talking about renewing the promise of America. First conversation: Saturday at Des Moines East High School Community Center.

Hillary Clinton Statement Of Candidacy

Clinton Website Garners Online Support In Early Hours

CLINTON CANDIDACY GARNERS HUGE ONLINE RESPONSE

Campaign web site signs up 100 new members per minute, racks up 10,000 messages of support within 6 hours of announcement

Clinton candidacy hailed online as “profoundly moving”; “top tier”; “exciting”; “remarkable”; “smart”; and “news of a generation”

Demonstrating the groundswell of enthusiasm generated by her historic candidacy, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s announcement for President lit up the internet today, garnering rave reviews in the blogosphere, and thousands of supporters flocking to her web site each hour. Within just six hours of the announcement going live on her campaign web site, Senator Clinton’s candidacy attracted thousands of messages of support, and widespread accolades online.

OVERWHELMING RESPONSE WITHIN HOURS OF GOING LIVE:

SIGN UPS = 100 per minute
MESSAGES OF SUPPORT = 10,000
VIDEO WEBCAST SIGN-UPS = 7,700
BLOG CONTEST SUBMISSIONS = 2,200

Hillary Clinton Presidential Exploratory Committee Announcement Video Transcript

Hillary Clinton Presidential Exploratory Committee Announcement Video Transcript:

HILLARY CLINTON: I announced today that I am forming a presidential exploratory committee.

I'm not just starting a campaign, though, I'm beginning a conversation -- with you, with America. Because we all need to be part of the discussion if we're all going to be part of the solution. And all of us have to be part of the solution.

Let's talk about how to bring the right end to the war in Iraq and to restore respect for America around the world.

How to make us energy independent and free of foreign oil.

How to end the deficits that threaten Social Security and Medicare.

And let's definitely talk about how every American can have quality affordable health care.

You know, after six years of George Bush, it is time to renew the promise of America. Our basic bargain that no matter who you are or where you live, if you work hard and play by the rules, you can build a good life for yourself and your family.

I grew up in a middle-class family in the middle of America, and we believed in that promise.

I still do. I've spent my entire life trying to make good on it.

Whether it was fighting for women's basic rights or childrens' basic health care. Protecting our Social Security, or protecting our soldiers. It's a kind of basic bargain, and we've got to keep up our end.

So let's talk. Let's chat. Let's start a dialogue about your ideas and mine.

Because the conversation in Washington has been just just a little one-sided lately, don't you think? And we can all see how well that works.

And while I can't visit everyone's living room, I can try. And with a little help from modern technology, I'll be holding live online video chats this week, starting Monday.

So let the conversation begin. I have a feeling it's going to be very interesting.

Hillary Clinton Announces "I'm In" On New Presidential Exploratory Website

Hillary Cinton Announces "I'm In" on her 2008 Presidential Exploratory Committee Website.

I'm in. And I'm in to win.

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 website. 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.

Two Years Until Inauguration Day 2009

The next Inauguration ceremony is scheduled to take place on January 20, 2009, exactly two years from today's date.

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies