CLINTON, RICHARDSON, BROWNBACK SAY THEY'RE IN

Hillary Clinton will get ALL of the media attention, but three candidates are officially getting into the presidential race this weekend. The New York senator announced her long-anticipated campaign today, while Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, a Republican, will announce today as well. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is expected to announce his exploratory committee tomorrow, with the intention of running for the Democratic nomination.

CLINTON MAKES IT OFFICIAL

Clinton annoucned today on with a Web site video. Actually, in the video Clinton claims not to be starting a campaign so much as a conversation - a conversation with every American. She says she plans to hold on-line video chats with voters, the first of which will be held Monday.

RICHARDSON TO FORM EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE

The Associated Press is reporting that Richardson will announce tomorrow that he has formed an exploratory committee, the first step toward becoming the first Hispanic president. Richardson is scheduled to appear on ABC's "This Week" tomorrow so you might expect an announcement then.

BROWNBACK TO MAKE GOP BID

Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback will make his announcement this after noon in Topeka, according to CQ Politics, the online presence of Congressional Quarterly. Brownback will seek to prove to voters - as so many a trying to do - that his is the one "true conservative" in the GOP race.

CATCHING UP WITH OBAMA

The real world kept us away from the blogosphere this week, so this appears to be as good a time as any to catch up with the other major candidate who threw his hat into the ring this week - Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. Like Clinton, Obama made his announcement via a video on his Web site.

Obama got strong support from fellow Chicagoan Jesse Jackson.

Jackson, who ran for the presidency himself in 1994 and 1998 says, as a candidate to become the country's first African-American president, Obama will face all the usual pressures and two others - racism and concern for personal safety.

While Jackson appears to be ready to all-but-endorse Obama, The Los Angeles Times reports other black leaders have not been so quick to jump on board, with some looking toward John Edwards instead.