Hillary Clinton takes more centrist position on foreign policy, the war in particular.

Sen. Hillary Clinton on Saturday urged graduates of Agnes Scott College to spread the cause of women's rights and education around the world.

Clinton, a New York Democrat who has made two visits to Iraq and Afghanistan as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said she is "very proud of our country" for standing with the women of those nations. She said it is "absolutely essential to our national security and the futherance of peace and democracy around the world" for that commitment to continue.

As speculation about a possible 2008 presidential bid has increased, Clinton has been seen as taking a more centrist position on several issues, including foreign policy.

While it's a long way to the next election, Clinton's moves have sparked concern among Republicans. Sydicated columnist Robert Novak reported over the weekend that the inner circle of House Republicans now views her as having "a virtual lock" on the '08 Democratic nomination.

Clinton received a tumultuous welcome when she walked onto an outdoor stage for the Saturday morning commencement excercises.

(5-15-05 article by Tom Baxter in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.)