Former first lady and junior Senator from the great state of New York Hillary Clinton has officially entered the 2008 presidential race. Saturday, in a video on her website, Hillary told the American people, “I’m not just starting a campaign, though, I’m beginning a conversation with you, with America.” And the Hillary faithful screamed back at their computers, “Go ahead girl!” In launching a presidential exploration committee, Hillary has made her first real move toward running for president. And in doing so, Clinton represents the best chance in history for a female President of the United States. The AP calls Hillary “the most credible female candidate ever.” And while this is probably true, it is somewhat of a sad statement about the state of women in politics. Hillary is an intelligent and savvy politician with a knowledge of the presidency that far exceeds that of any other candidate. But she’s only served one six-year term in a position of any significant political importance. And I heard George Clooney say he likes Obama. However, as we learned from the 2000 Bush election, and our forefathers learned in the 1824 election of John Quincy Adams, when it comes to a presidential bid, a name goes a long way. And names might be all that matter in the 2008 Democratic primary. For instance, Bill Richardson, who formally announced his candidacy Sunday, has a Mexican mother and Nicaraguan father, but for some reason, has the name Richardson. Will his name cause voters to view him as disingenuous? Illinois Senator and Hillary’s most formidable opponent Barack Obama has the middle name Hussein. While for a U.S. candidate, this is unfortunate, will it be enough to cost him votes? Then there’s Hillary’s name, Clinton, a name Americans associate with power, a strong economy and getting blown at work. And finally, two candidates with the quintessential American names– John, as in Edwards or Q. Public, and Joe as in Biden or Average. In the 2008 Democratic primary, it won’t be about race like most people think. Because I’m not sure America cares whether the president is a woman, an African-American or a Latino with a non-Latino name. In 2008, names will be the name of the game.

•AP: ‘I’m In, and I’m in to Win’

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