Hillary Clinton at DNC Winter Meeting

"I'm Hillary Clinton and I'm Running For President"

In case you hadn't noticed! Hillary Clinton arrived on stage today at the DNC Winter Meeting to the cheers of her supporters and the music of Jesus Jones, "Right Here, Right Now".

She then proceeded to give a solid, rather than brilliant speech. But solid is what she needed. It appeared to be a conversation, very much Clinton's tactic, rather than a traditional speech.

And as the front runner, ironically the most vulnerable position to be in, Clinton doesn't need any slip ups. She is best when she is being herself, treating the audience as if she is speaking to them directly, one on one.

Clinton declared that the next campaign is one of the most important in the nation's history and that everyone will need to work together to take back the White House and to increase the numbers in the Congress.

She then went on to highlight the way that country has been left behind, particularly workers. Clinton declared that "We need to start standing up for the American worker again." She said that we need a new economic strategy to build a new middle class.

On Iraq, Clinton was passionate - she and others in Congress have come under fire for the fact that they haven't been able to do more than pass a non binding resolution. Clinton hit back, saying that if they can get a bi-partisan resolution, it will be the first time the Congress has said no to the President on the Iraq war.

Clinton said that she will threaten the Iraqi Government, to withdraw funds unless they are prepared to do more.

Rather than admitting she was mistaken to support the war in 2002, Clinton said that if she was President at the time, she would not have started the war. And if the war is not over by January 2009, as President, she will end it.

How that goes to appeasing those like Edwards who has been very vocal on the fact that he was mistaken on his vote and apologised, is unclear. It still might be a sticking point for Clinton.

However, Edwards and Clinton on the face of it do appear to agree on one issue, Universal Health Care. Clinton said that she will provide quality affordable universal health care coverage to every American. She has a record here on trying to make this happen.

And not leaving anything out on the formula for the speeches followed by most candidates, she spoke of the need to attain energy Independence. And she rejects the assertion that dealing with climate change will wreck the economy.

Clinton said that America needs smart, strong leadership that can provide the solutions that are needed. She said that she knows a thing or two about winning campaigns, and if she is given the chance, that she will win the campaign in 2008.

Watch the speech at Hillary's website here.