BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton kicked off her bid for a second Senate term Wednesday, telling supporters to get ready for a Democratic sweep in November. "When the dust clears in November, New York is going to have a Democratic government from top to bottom, and we're going to show the rest of the country what that means," Clinton said to the nearly 700 people at New York's Democratic state convention.
Clinton was expected to get a formal nomination from the party later Wednesday.
The former first lady made no mention of a possible presidential bid in 2008 and said she was focused completely on 2006, but that didn't stop supporters.
"Let's keep Hillary in the United States Senate and near her next home, the White House," state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver had told delegates earlier.
Democrats at the convention exhibited a new appreciation for Clinton.
"There is no question about it, she came in six years ago and she got the endorsement because she was the first lady," said former state Assemblyman Arthur Kremer, an influential Long Island Democrat. "This time, she's proven that she's worthy of the party's support."
Clinton is facing a possible primary challenge in September from war activist Jonathan Tasini.
A day earlier, the party designated Attorney General Eliot Spitzer as its candidate for governor. Republican Gov. George Pataki is not seeking re-election.
