New York: Hillary Clinton today formally launched her bid to become the first woman president of the United States, giving a rallying call to build a new era of "real and lasting prosperity" that "should be shared by all".
"Prosperity can't be just for CEOs and hedge fund managers," Clinton told a crowd 5,500 during a rally held on Roosevelt Island here.
She used the first major rally of her second presidential run to declare that the goal of her presidency would be to tipthe nation's economic scales back towards the middle class."Democracy can't be just for billionaires and corporations.
Prosperity and democracy are part of your basic bargain, too.You brought our country back. Now it's time, your time, to secure the gains and move ahead. And you know what? America can't succeed unless you succeed.
That is why I am running for president of the United States," she said.
Her husband, former US President Bill Clinton, and their daughter Chelsea stood by in support.It was the first time that the family was seen together in public since Clinton began her campaign to become America's first woman president.
The 67-year-old former secretary of state announced her campaign in April with a low-key rollout and has been holding listening sessions with voters in several states.
Paying homage to the legacies of former presidents, particularly Franklin Roosevelt, Clinton said, "We have new challenges in our economy and our democracy, we are still working our way back from a crisis because time-tested values were replaced by false promises."
"We are standing again but we all know we are still not running the way America should," Clinton said while pointing out how while Americans are sacrificing like never before, the wealthiest Americans are getting a greater share of the profits and benefits. To those who are wondering 'when will I get ahead,'" Clinton said, "I say now."
Clinton touched other critical issues, vowing to fight income inequality and work on immigration reform, marriage equality, equal pay, criminal justice reform and women's rights.
She said she will rewrite the tax code so it rewards hard work and investments here at home, not quick trades or stashing profits overseas."I will give new incentives to companies that give their employees a fair share of the profits their hard work earns.
We will unleash a new generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners by providing tax relief, cutting red tape, and making it easier to get a small business loan," she said. Clinton is seeking a Democratic presidential nomination to run for the White House in 2016.
This is her second presidential bid. In 2008, she lost in the Democratic Party primaries to current US President Barack Obama.
