Clinton campaign to focus on economic security, opportunity

Chicago, Apr 12: Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign will center on boosting economic security for the middle class and expanding opportunities for working families, while casting the former senator and secretary of state as a "tenacious fighter" able to get results, two senior advisers have said.

They provided the first preview of the message that Clinton planned to convey when she launches her long-anticipated campaign today with an online video. [US Presidential polls 2016: 'Hillary Clinton to announce her candidacy on April 12']

Until now, the former first lady has offered only hints of what would drive her if she were to run a second time for the White House.

Clinton, who lost the 2008 nomination to Barack Obama, will skip a flashy kickoff rally in favor of conversations with voters about the economic needs of middle class families and the next generation.

Clinton appears unlikely to face a formidable primary opponent, though a handful of lower-profile Democrats such as former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley have said they are considering campaigns.

Should she win the nomination, Clinton would face the winner of a Republican primary field that could feature as many as two dozen candidates. Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas have already announced their candidacies.

Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is expected to enter the race in Miami on Monday, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the brother and son of former presidents, is also likely to run.

The strategy described by Clinton's advisers has echoes of Obama's successful 2012 re-election campaign. He framed the choice for voters as between Democrats focused on the middle class and Republicans wanting to protect the wealthy and return to policies that led to the 2008 economic collapse.

The advisers said Clinton will argue that voters have a similar choice in 2016. Clinton also intends to sell herself as being able to work with Congress, businesses and world leaders.

That approach could be perceived as a critique of Obama. He has largely been unable to fulfill his pledge to end Washington's intense partisanship and found much of his presidency stymied by gridlock within Congress.

The Clinton advisers spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss her plans ahead of today's announcement.

People familiar with the plans say Clinton will travel to Iowa and other early-voting states to hold small events with residents in the days after the video's release.

By campaigning heavily in the early-voting states, which influence the rest of the state-by-state battle for party nominations, Clinton hopes to avoid making the same stumbles she did in 2008, when she entered the race as a US senator and a heavy favorite only to be upset by Obama in Iowa's lead-off caucuses.

AP