New York Senator Hillary Clinton made her formal announcement stating the formation of a presidential exploratory committee on her Web site Saturday. The centerpiece of the well-rehearsed video is her declaration "I'm in and I am in to win." She promised to hold Web chats Monday through Wednesday of this week.

Democrat Bill Richardson, 59-year-old New Mexico governor, announced in a video posted on his Web site that he too will set up an exploratory committee that will allow him to begin raising money and assembling his campaign organization. This is the first step toward the US's first Hispanic president.  
In other Election 2008 related news, the first video "hit job" appeared on YouTube last week. The video featured spliced clips from former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney's 1994 debate with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.). In it, Romney (R), then running for the Senate in a losing campaign against Kennedy, voiced support for abortion rights and gay rights -- positions he has since renounced.

Romney's campaign, alerted to the threat released a counter video on YouTube within hours. The  video of Romney rebutting the charges was sent to his supporters and to Republican blogs.

"In a viral information age, a distortion of the record can quickly sink in as fact," Kevin Madden press secretary for Romney's presidential exploratory committee said. "It was very important to show that what was an anonymous attack eventually became a moment of strength for our campaign."

On the Electronic Campaign Trail
For Democrat Hopefuls, Web is Way