Clinton rallies against "all-boy's club" politics

By Ellen Wulfhorst

WELLESLEY, Massachusetts (Reuters) - Democrat Hillary Clinton urged women voters on Thursday to rally behind her campaign against "the boys club of presidential politics" two days after male rivals attacked her repeatedly at a debate.

The front-runner among Democrats seeking the presidential nomination in the November 2008 elections -- and the only woman seeking the job -- rallied enthusiastic students at her alma mater Wellesley College, a prestigious liberal arts school outside Boston.

Clinton, 60, graduated in 1969.

"In so many ways, this all women's college prepared me to compete in the all boys club of presidential politics," the former first lady told hundreds of students.

"We need to shatter that highest glass ceiling," added Clinton, who is trying to become the first woman president. "We can make history."

As she sought to mobilize student voters with a nationwide campaign, her words alluded to the pummeling she took on Tuesday night against six male candidates at the Democratic debate in Philadelphia.

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, both trailing Clinton by double-digits in national polls, attacked the New York senator's honesty, leadership and ability to win the November 2008 election.

Edwards' communications director Chris Kofinis shrugged off the Clinton campaign's complaint that other Democrats had gone after her at the debate.