2007年VOA标准英语-Hillary Clinton Enters 2008 US Presidential Rac

By Marissa Melton
Washington
20 January 2007

New York Senator Hillary Clinton has announced she has taken the first step toward a run for the presidency¹ in 2008. VOA's Marissa Melton reports.

Senator Hillary Clinton announces opening presidential exploratory committee on her Web site HillaryClinton.com

Senator Hillary Clinton, wife of former president Bill Clinton, announced her move on her Web site Saturday, saying "I'm in".

"I announced today that I am forming a presidential exploratory committee," said Mrs. Clinton.

Clinton, 59, criticized the Bush administration, saying after six years of his presidency it is time to renew the promise of America. She also laid out her own leadership goals.

"Let's talk about how to end the war in Iraq and restore respect for America around the world," she added.

She also said she wants to talk about making the nation energy-independent, free of foreign oil.  And she mentioned several domestic issues including health care, an issue she concentrated on during her time as first lady in the 1990s.

In her announcement, she stressed her middle class roots, setting her agenda to boost the prospects² of the middle class whom she says has been neglected under the Bush administration.

Clinton's announcement follows one earlier this week by another possible front-runner, African-American Barack Obama.  He announced formation of his exploratory committee on Tuesday.

Either candidate would be a "first" for the nation if elected. Clinton would be the first female president of the United States, while Obama would be the first African-American.

To date, there are five Democratic presidential hopefuls.

In the Republican Party, U.S. Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas says he will formally announce his intentions to enter the 2008 presidential race Saturday in the state capital Topeka.

1 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

2 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。