Democrat Jim Webb and Republican Chris Christie join 2016 race for White House

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says he is ‘out to change the world.’Reuters
Former Virginia Senator Jim Webb vows to bring an outsider's choice to the Democratic Party race dominated by former secretary of State Hillary Clinton.Reuters

Former Virginia Senator Jim Webb and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie have both jumped into the Democratic and Republican races as presidential nominees, respectively.

Webb, who announced his bid on Thursday, said he will bring an outsider's choice to the Democratic Party race that is clearly dominated by former secretary of State Hillary Clinton, CBN News wrote.

"I understand the odds, particularly in today's political climate, where fair debate is so often drowned out by huge sums of money," wrote Webb, who is a veteran of the Vietnam War and later served as Secretary of the Navy.

"I know that more than one candidate in this process intends to raise at least a billion dollars."

He underlined the need for a change in political players and for novel solutions to the country's problems.

"We need to shake the hold of these shadow elites on our political process," said Webb, who is a stringent critic of the war in Iraq.

CBS News said Webb's experience in the military "may present a challenge to Clinton's foreign policy decisions as Secretary of State."

Meanwhile, Christie said he is "out to change the world" as he officially launched his presidential campaign for next year's election.

Christie told his supporters in the gymnasium of his old high school that his political career has been marked by "fighting for fairness and justice and opportunity."

He said he wants to do the same if he will be voted into office and head the nation.

"America is tired of hand-wringing and indecisiveness and weakness in the Oval Office," he said.

"We need to have strength and decision-making and authority back in the Oval Office."

"That is why today I am proud to announce my candidacy for the Republican nomination for president of the United States of America."

His bid to become the country's commander-in-chief has been announced more than a year after he endured a scandal over the closure of lanes on the George Washington Bridge.

The 52-year-old politician raked one political triumph, however, as his term as chief of the Republican Governors Association was widely considered a success in last year's midterm polls.

He hopes that success will continue on what he hopes "is going to be a really noble and successful effort to try to lead our country and to change the world."