Hillary Clinton, although a polarizing figure, is hands down the most qualified Democrat to run in the 2008 presidential election because of her experience, understanding and strong command of policy detail. No other candidate can compare.

One of the biggest criticisms that Hillary has encountered in running for her party’s nomination concerns her change of position on the war in Iraq. Although she voted to authorize the war in 2002, she recently vowed to end it if elected president and spoke out strongly against it on various occasions. This is a similar situation to that of presidential candidate John Kerry; however, Kerry recanted his vote while Hillary refused to do so.

Many feel as though Hillary merely changed her position on the issue in order to attract more liberal votes. However, what seemed like a good decision in 2002, seems like a complete mistake now that the United States has been in this war for over five years, and is still not receiving cooperation from the Iraqi government. Americans should not be so rash in their judgment of Clinton. Unlike the more stubborn politicians who push for more military action when it is clearly not achieving anything, she has the courage to come out with her change of heart ‘ and it is a good thing that we have one more anti-war candidate, regardless of the way she may have voted in 2002.

Her actions as First Lady prove her qualifications. Hillary was the first First Lady to actually exercise her power. As First Lady, Hillary worked to secure low-cost health care for American families and worked hard to reduce drug costs and to make vaccinations available for children. She has also succeeded in attaining better health care for our troops. It is thanks to Hillary that the Gulf War Syndrome is now recognized as a serious medical condition and its sufferers are getting proper medical attention.

Hillary has always been an advocate for women’s rights. Remember the Plan B pill, boys and girls? Guess who made it readily available on the shelves of your local pharmacy for your convenience? Hillary has also worked hard to make planning centers, such as Planned Parenthood, available in all New York State counties.

She has long been a champion on health care, children’s and women’s rights and education. However, Hillary has also proved that she has a thorough knowledge of National Security as well, which is very comforting considering that she may someday be the first lady Commander-in-Chief. She has long worked to give our men and women in Iraq more quality armor and equipment, and will fight to end unfair no-bid military contracts, such as the one that the Bush administration maintains with Halliburton.

Although Barack Obama seems to be another front-runner for the Democratic nomination, the nation has yet to see if he has what it takes to step up to the plate, or if he will burn out before the primaries are over. He is definitely a fresh, exciting new face, but does he have what it takes to be the winner? No one knows. Hillary, on the other hand, is a sure thing. She will undo the damage that the Bush administration has caused this country and get it back on track before you can say ‘weapons of mass destruction.’

‘ Polina Deryuga is a sophomore management and pre-law major. When she was still in junior high school, she once saw Bill and Chelsea Clinton at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC.