Hillary Clinton formally launched her 2016 presidential campaign Saturday with a speech on New York City's Roosevelt Island, trumpeting a message of shared prosperity for all Americans.
"Prosperity can't just be for CEOs and hedge fund managers," Clinton told the crowd. "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," the former senator, First Lady and secretary of state said, in what was the first time since entering the race in April that she made a lengthy appeal to Americans on why she deserves to be elected as their "champion."
"I'm not running for some Americans, but for all Americans," Clinton told the cheering audience before pledging to "make the economy work for you."
Largely focusing on those often discriminated against, Clinton laid out a number of issues that she plans to tackle: making "the middle-class mean something again," empowering disenfranchised voters by fighting back against Republicans, and ending discrimination and inequality against women and the LGBT community.
"We need Justices on the Supreme Court who will protect every citizen's right to vote, rather than every corporation's right to buy elections," she said, adding, "If necessary, I will support a constitutional amendment to undo the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United."
Clinton also called for a "smarter, simpler, more efficient" government - "a better partner."
"That means access to advanced technology so government agencies can more effectively serve their customers, the American people," she said. "We need expertise and innovation from the private sector to help cut waste and streamline services... I want to help Washington catch up."
In the 45-minute speech, she made one slight reference to the battle over trade that has recently caused a rift between President Barack Obama and most congressional Democrats.
"Advances in technology and the rise of global trade have created whole new areas of economic activity and opened new markets for our exports," Clinton said, "but they have also displaced jobs and undercut wages for millions of Americans."
Clinton said that in the coming weeks, she plans to propose specific policies to "Reward businesses who invest in long term value rather than the quick buck - because that leads to higher growth for the economy, higher wages for workers, and yes, bigger profits, everybody will have a better time."
"I 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," she said. "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. We will restore America to the cutting edge of innovation, science, and research by increasing both public and private investments."
"And we will make America the clean energy superpower of the 21st century," which will create millions of jobs and "enable America to lead the global fight against climate change," she added.
Clinton also spoke on the need to "stop the endless flow of secret, unaccountable money that is distorting our elections, corrupting our political process, and drowning out the voices of our people."
Following her speech, Clinton began readying for a trip to Iowa, a battleground state critical to her success, where she will talk with volunteers and supporters assisting with her grassroots campaign, The Hill reported. Clinton will over the next few days travel to New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, according to campaign aides.
