Washington, DC (National Zoo, February 1, 2007) - Fellow Americans, I stand before you on all four legs to announce my intention to run for President of the United States of America. This was not a decision I have taken lightly. After traveling across the country, speaking and braying to Americans of all species, I knew it was the right time and the right decision.

Folks, your voices and your votes have issued a resounding call for a new course and I have heard your plea. We need a change. Someone to unite mammals of all kinds. Gray, white, brown, hooved and not hooved, tails or no tails, we need a uniter, not a divider. The country needs a new direction in which every American can take pride and in which the global community can feel confident, safe and secure. My friends, America needs someone to Pull America Forward. Someone with the experience, the education, the passion and the capacity to understand your needs. I believe I am the mammal to do it.

The current administration has spent their last ounce of energy attempting to hold onto the last thread that connects the current problems abroad to our national interest. Ladies and gentlemen, let,s bring the focus home tonight. Let,s revitalize the economy, reduce poverty, raise the minimum wage for hard-towing donkeys like yourselves, reconvene multilateral talks with nations like Iran and North Korea, as well as with our friends the Horses, restore our relationship with the global community, revisit the healthcare discussion and remember why we are proud to call ourselves Americans (let,s face it, you can drape a Mexican flag over your back when giving rides to tourists in Tijuana, but the accent in your bray still says New Jersey!).

You,ve given me the issues that are most important to you, now let me tell you a few of the plans I have for addressing those important areas:

Education: My friends, I have some sad and frightening news for you: One of the most important issues in the country has taken a back burner to a war that is a world away. That issue is the education of our children. My plan to reduce the interest on student loans for college, to build innovative programs for learning, to raise teachers, salaries to a competitive level and to augment funding for educational after-school activities will move education to the front-burner. Let,s light a fire under this subject and heat up the topic of learning.

Energy: John Kennedy announced in the early 60s that in 9 years humans will go to the moon; we need the same initiative now with alternative energy. With sacrifice and dedication, we can and will move off the oil standard within 9 years. We have the technology and the resources. Now, let,s invest in the process to reduce our dependence on oil while at the same time becoming better stewards of the environment.

These are just a few of the issues that I will begin to address as my campaign moves forward. Please stay in touch with me and my campaign and let me know what is important to you and to America.

Together we can continue to Pull America Forward, but I need your help to achieve our goals and dreams. I appreciate your support and look forward to running into you on the campaign trail. Thank you all!