Criticizing the Bush administration on a range of issues, the New York senator said she would create a universal prekindergarten program, provide healthcare for all Americans, and generate jobs.
"During the 1990s, we lifted more people out of poverty than any time in American history and now they've fallen back in," she told church congregants. "We had more bankruptcies last year than college graduates."
She also called for immigration reform, saying the government needs to know who is in the country but adding that illegal immigrants need a path to citizenship.
Clinton repeated her pledge to bring home troops from Iraq if President Bush doesn't, yet she cautioned that troop withdrawals wouldn't happen overnight. "People want it done yesterday. It's going to take time," she said.
Asked if she would consider one of her rivals as a running mate, Clinton said, "I will certainly be honored to consider them and other extremely qualified and meritorious candidates because we are going to have a lot of work to do."
Clinton attended events in four Texas cities over the last two days. She acknowledged that the Lone Star state is a Republican stronghold but said, "I love Texas too much to leave it to the other side."
Race to raise money Clinton financial backers acknowledge that there is definitely competition for Democratic dollars, especially from Senator Barack Obama of Illinois . The initial campaign fund-raising reports, which are due out soon, will be a test of the candidates' strength.
Clinton's leading rival for the nomination and for campaign dollars, Obama was holding a rally in Oakland, Calif., yesterday.
If Clinton can raise millions more than Obama and another chief rival, John Edwards, the perception that she is the party's inevitable nominee will solidify, analysts say. A less-than-decisive edge will lend credence to the view that the nomination is truly up for grabs.
The Clinton, Obama, and Edwards campaigns have been trying to outfox one another in the expectations game. Each campaign has set a low bar for itself while predicting big numbers for the competition.
