Although it isn’t a surprise, first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s announcement that she does in fact intend to seek New York’s Senate seat will continue to ruffle feathers.

Clinton, with husband President Bill Clinton at her side, announced Sunday in Purchase, N.Y., that she will be running for the Senate seat vacated by Democratic Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

Her probable, but still unannounced, rival for the seat is Republican Rudolph Giuliani, whose tenure as New York’s mayor has also sparked its share of controversy.

But, as it has been the case since she’s entered the public eye, Hillary’s story is the one that the press has been focusing on, with much criticism.

She’s not a real New Yorker, the pundits say; she’s just using her new-official Senate race as an excuse to break away from the philandering Commander in Chief; she’s never held an elected office, and some of her lofty ideas (i.e. health-care reform) flopped.

Our answer: So what?

Clinton’s an exceptionally bright person with innovative ideas.

She’s passionate about many social causes, which may be a point against Giuliani, who proclaims he’s cleaned up New York City, but at what cost to its residents?

Clinton’s never run for office, but she’s certainly no stranger to the campaign trail. She was a vital force in her husband’s bids for the Arkansas governorship and the presidency. Although it irked some voters, Bill Clinton wasn’t lying when he told supporters that if they voted for him, they’d get “two for the price of one.”

And it’s true: Hillary Clinton’s been a strong influence in many of the positives of the Clinton administration.

There is no reason that she can’t make good things happen for the state of New York.

Clinton’s a rare first lady. Sure, they’ve all had their cause de jours, with Nancy Reagan and her “Just Say No” campaign and Barbara Bush promoting literacy.

And, of course, there was the brilliant Eleanor Roosevelt, who’s been Clinton’s role model and predecessor in many ways.

But Clinton’s pretty special, and judging by her composure during the Monica Lewinsky scandal, she’s pretty tough. New York would be lucky to have her.

Clinton’s been forced to stand by her man for long enough. It’s time for her to make some waves of her own.

And for those naysayers who are calling Clinton a carpetbagger, if New Yorkers have such a big problem with the law, why haven’t they changed it?

Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Sara Ziegler, Greg Jerrett, Kate Kompas, Carrie Tett and David Roepke.