By BETH FOUHY
The Associated Press
Wednesday, December 20, 2006; 10:23 PM
NEW YORK -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton got into the holiday spirit Wednesday, describing her family's Christmas traditions, as well as the political mood, hinting it might be time for a mom to occupy the Oval Office.
"We've never had a mother who ever ran for or held that position," the former first lady told the all-female cast of ABC's "The View."
Clinton appeared on the show to promote the rerelease of "It Takes a Village," the book she penned a decade ago on the importance of community involvement in raising children.
The New York lawmaker, who tops every national poll of potential Democratic White House contenders, is expected to announce her plans early next year. While she revealed little about her intentions, she acknowledged that the concept of electing a woman president is "such a leap of faith."
She called a possible rival, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, "a terrific guy," and suggested the field was without a front-runner this year.
"We're going to have a lot of good people running in the Democratic primary and I think that's exciting," she said. "In most elections it was accepted that someone was going to be the nominee and maybe the likely winner. This time that's all thrown up, and that's good."
But politics wasn't the only topic on the agenda. Clinton also described her family's holiday rituals, noting that they attend church on Christmas Eve and open gifts the following morning.
"We are probably as fanatic about Christmas as anyone you'll meet," Clinton said of her husband, former President Clinton, and daughter, Chelsea. She added that she loved making homemade ornaments and trimming the tree.
"You'd be surprised how crafty she is," host Rosie O'Donnell cracked.
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WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Gov. Mitt Romney, a potential presidential candidate, said Wednesday an increase in the number of U.S. troops in Iraq is a decision for the military.
During his 11th trip to Iowa since 2004, Romney told reporters he supports President Bush's stewardship of the war, but he brushed aside questions about a surge in forces deployed in Iraq to quell the sectarian violence.
"I won't get into specifics about whether it should be 18,000, 20,000 or 15,000," he said. "That's for the generals and those on the front line to decide."
A potential GOP rival, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, favors an increase of 15,000 to 30,000 more troops in Iraq. Bush reportedly is considering an increase in troops.
Romney, elected Massachusetts governor in 2002, leaves office at the end of this year. He is expected to announce his presidential intentions next month.
Romney was scheduled to speak at several events Wednesday in the early voting state, including a fundraiser for the Dallas County sheriff.
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Associated Press Writer David Pitt in West Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.