COUNCIL BLUFFS - The governor of the U.S. state of Iowa has become the first politician to announce formally that he will run for the presidency in 2008.

Tom Vilsack announced his candidacy Thursday. He is seen as an unlikely winner against better-known prospective contenders, such as New York Senator Hillary Clinton. Clinton has not announced whether she will run.

Other politicians have begun public fundraising efforts for their campaigns but have not yet formally declared themselves candidates.

Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told a French television station that she will not run for president in 2008. She said she is glad to see women running for high office and winning in some countries, but she does not want to join their ranks.

The outgoing U.S. Senate majority leader, Republican Bill Frist, has also decided not to run for president.

Frist released a statement Wednesday saying he wants to take a break from public life.

Governor Tom Vilsack’s home state, Iowa, is located in the American midwest. Presidential candidates frequently give Iowa special attention because it is the first state each election year to pick political-party nominees.

Source:  VOA News