Anti-War Activists Jeer Hillary Clinton

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, center, D-N.Y., waves to the crowd during the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York, Sunday, June 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Hiroko Masuike) (Hiroko Masuike - AP)

"If we're going to win in November then we have to be smarter, tougher, and better prepared than our opponents, because one thing they do know how to do is win and we have to reach out to people who may not be able to agree with us," she said.

"We have to talk about the range of issues that are on their minds that they talk about around the kitchen table," Clinton said.

Before speaking to the group, another potential presidential candidate, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, questioned whether Congress had done its part in asking tough questions.

"Congress has a responsibility here," Vilsack said, in a subtle criticism of potential 2008 rivals like Kerry and Clinton. "If the tough questions aren't being asked by the administration, the checks and balances system of our government requires that the other branch of government asks the tough questions."

Speaking at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, Vilsack cautioned against rushing for a quick exit from Iraq now.

"I personally don't think now is a time to say on a date certain we are leaving," he said.

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Associated Press Writer Will Lester contributed to this report.

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