NEW YORK – Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton expressed confidence Sunday in her presidential prospects and said she awaits a spirited contest for the 2008 Democratic nomination.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a great contest with a lot of talented people and I’m very confident. I’m in, I’m in it to win and that’s what I intend to do,” she said after her first public appearance since announcing her candidacy Saturday.

Clinton’s comments came during a visit to a Manhattan community health clinic, where the New York senator was promoting a federal children’s health care program.

Clinton said she would introduce legislation to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program to all families who need it, regardless of income. Aides said Clinton was determined to attend to her Senate duties throughout the campaign.

Reflecting her new status as a leading presidential contender, the room was packed with media- some two dozen television camera crews jockeyed for position with scores of reporters from as far away as Germany. Photographers waited outside in chilly temperatures for over an hour to snap pictures of Clinton’s arrival.

Clinton said she decided to run after talking to family, friends and supporters since her re-election in November.

“It was a thorough review for me about the problems we confront in the country, the particular strengths and talents I would bring–both to the race and the White House,” Clinton said.

“I concluded, based on the work of my lifetime and my experience and my understanding of what our country has to confront in order to continue to make opportunity available to all of our citizens here and to restore our leadership and respect of America around the world, that I would be able to do that, to bring our country together to meet those tough challenges,” she said.

The former first lady answered questions after promoting the CHIP legislation. She appeared on-stage gripping the hands of 4-year old Olivia and 2-year old Camilla Harden, whose parents said they relied on CHIP for their daughters’ health care. The girls looked bewildered as hundreds of flashbulbs popped and cameras whirred throughout the room.

“It’s simply wrong for any child to lack health care in America. That’s where we start,” Clinton said.

Earlier Sunday, one of her White House rivals said Clinton is the favorite right now for the Democratic nomination but added that the party is a “lifetime” away from making its 2008 choice.

“I think she’s incredibly formidable and has got to be the front-runner and the odds-on pick right now. But this is a marathon. There’s a long way to go,” said Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del.

The former first lady joined the race on Saturday, hoping to become the first female president.

A crowded field of Democratic candidates is led by Clinton, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and 2004 vice presidential nominee John Edwards.