Hillary Clinton holds all chances to become America’s first-ever female president

Hillary Clinton said in the announcement posted on her official website that she knows how to beat the Republicans. They may be much easier to beat than Hillary. A CNN poll in 2005 was more a public referendum on voter perception of her than a poll. Far more voters, even at the risk of being reviled for gender bigotry, said they were "more likely" to cast a vote against Hillary Clinton than for her. In exit polls on election night last November following her smash Senate re-election victory, one out of five New York voters were adamant that Clinton would not make a good president.

Photo: Hillary Clinton holds all chances to become America’s first-ever female president

Clinton's announcement, days after Sen. Barack Obama shook up the contest race with his bid to become the first black president, establishes the most diverse political field ever. Clinton is considered the front-runner, with Obama and 2004 vice presidential nominee John Edwards top contenders. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who would be the first Hispanic president, intends to announce his plans on Sunday, the AP says.

"You know after six years of George Bush, it is time to renew the promise of America," Clinton says in a videotaped message in which she invites voters to begin a dialogue with her on the major issues -- health care, Social Security and Medicare, and the war in Iraq.

"I'm not just starting a campaign, though, I'm beginning a conversation with you, with America," she said. "Let's talk. Let's chat. The conversation in Washington has been just a little one-sided lately, don't you think?"

Many Democrats, eager to reclaim the White House after eight years of President Bush, fret that she carries too much baggage from her husband's scandal-plagued presidency to win a general election. Among many voters, she is best known for her disastrous attempt in 1993 to overhaul the nation's health care system and for standing by her husband after his marital infidelity.

Following Clinton's announcement that she is a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, a common question has been whether voters will accept a female candidate, The Washington Times wrote.

As more women than ever are holding office and voting, Clinton may be able to turn the gender issue into a powerful tool, the newspaper said. Most voters are women, the Post said, and 9 million more women than men voted in the last presidential election.

A majority of women are shown to favor Clinton, further increasing her political advantage, the Post said. Women from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds are shown to have a high opinion of Clinton, including many key demographics for Democrats.