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Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York

United States Senate:

Mrs. Clinton was an activist First Lady, staunchly supporting children's issues, womens' rights and universal health care for all Americans. In 1993, she notoriously chaired the failed Task Force on National Health Care Reform.

Recently Notable - 2008 Presidential Race:

For in-depth info on the race and her campaign, see Hillary Clinton in 2008 Hub and News Center. Lively analysis of the Clinton-Obama race can be read at Daunting Decision 2008: Obama or Clinton?

The Hillary Clinton Persona:

Clinton touts herself as an aggressive fighter, and openly savors the tough thrust and parry of political campaigning. In private, she's reputed to be much warmer and friendlier than her public persona would suggest. She commands the respect and loyalty of many who have known her for decades.

She's widely known as a practical "policy wonk" who enjoys engagement in the fine details of proposals and plans, rather than as a big-picture visionary.

Major Areas of Interest:

Clinton voted to 2002 to support the Iraq War. In 2007, she admitted to regretting that vote, although she has never apologized for her Iraq War vote, as did John Edwards during the 2008 campaign.

As senator, she's given new priority to issues affecting the military and national security. Reacting to 2004 voting discrepancies, she has deep interest in voters' right and election reform.

Senate Committees in the 110th Congress:

• Committee on Armed Services
• Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions
• Committee on Environment & Public Works
• Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe
• Special Committee on Aging

Prior Experience:

Memorable Quotes:

"Voting is the most precious right of every citizen, and we have a moral obligation to ensure the integrity of our voting process."

"Research shows the presence of women raises the standards of ethical behavior and lowers corruption."

Personal Data:

• Birth - October 26, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois
• Education - B.A. from Wellesley College, J.D. from Yale University Law School, where she was on the Board of Editors for the Yale Law Review
• Family - Married on October 11, 1975 to William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd U.S. President; one adult child, Chelsea, to whom they are both devoted.
• Faith - Christian, Methodist

Interesting Background Notes:

She was the first child of a U.S. Marine drill instructor turned factory worker, and his wife, who was born to neglectful teenage parents. While little has been written of her early childhood, her father has been described as strongly confrontational.

Sen. Clinton is lifelong, devout Methodist, and was especially active in church groups as a teenager. She was a Goldwater supporter, dubbed Goldwater Girls, while in high school, and was President of the Young Republicans at Wellesley College.

Like many baby boomers, her politics became more liberal as the Vietnam War raged. By the time she was selected valedictorian of her Wellesley class, she was a Eugene McCarthy Democrat.

She chose Yale over Harvard Law School after a cocktail party run-in with an chauvinistic Harvard professor, and soon after, met Bill Clinton in a Yale library.

In 1975, Hillary Rodham moved to Arkanas and married Bill Clinton, wearing an off-the-rack cotton wedding dress she bought the day before their wedding. She started her career anew in Little Rock with the Rose Law Firm.

Theirs has been a rocky, tempestuous marriage, in which serious rifts were played out on the public stage. Many speculate that Bill and Hillary would have divorced, had there not been an adored child.

Others close to the Clintons insist, however, that Bill and Hillary are deeply bonded, as shown by the fact that their marriage has endured for over 30 years. (See more at Profile of Bill Clinton, Spouse of 2008 Candidate.)