Clinton wants to step off political "high-wire"

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says she wants to step off the "high wire of American politics" after two decades and is again tamping down speculation that she might stay in government if President Barack Obama wins a second term.

Clinton told State Department employees on Thursday that she is ready for a rest and is paying no attention to the Republican presidential candidate debates. She said she wants to find out just how tired she is after working flat out as first lady, senator, aspiring presidential candidate and finally the top U.S. diplomat.

"I have made it clear that I will certainly stay on until the president nominates someone and that transition can occur" if Obama wins re-election, she told a town hall meeting. "But I think after 20 years, and it will be 20 years, of being on the high wire of American politics and all of the challenges that come with that, it would be probably a good idea to just find out how tired I am."

But, she appeared to leave the door open for a possible eventual return, adding to laughter from the crowd that "everyone always says that when they leave these jobs."

As secretary of state, Clinton is barred from partisan politics and she acknowledged that it is unusual not to be participating in this election season. But, she said she is enjoying being away from the fray and hasn't watched any of the GOP debates.

"It is a little odd for me to be totally out of an election season," she said. "But, you know, I didn't watch any of those debates."

Clinton said she expected the campaign for November's election to suck up a lot of the attention" normally devoted to foreign policy issues but she joked that that might actually help the State Department.

"The good news is maybe we can even get more done if they are not paying attention, so just factor that in."

[melbatom]

If you noticed Hilary's face at the State of The Union address it said I do not believe what you are saying. It is not a suprise that she is leaving and you can bet it will occur by next year. So many people have left this adminstration makes your wonder what is going on inside the White House.

[Zann-Zel]

Hillary you already know you have the support. After Obama is done and can't run anymore you'll have the backing of the entire party!

Hillary 2016 : )

[longtree-2009]

after her tour as SOS, clinton is ready for a run at potus but she has to do it now. if she disappears from the political scene she will lose any traction she has at the moment. too bad she is not challenging obama for the democratic nomination. she would have a good chance at beating obama.

[nacianne]

Lets hope and pray she leaves the political scene. She is not real !!!!

[th9876]

"It is a little odd for me to be totally out of an election season," she said. "But, you know, I didn't watch any of those
debates."

Neither did I Hillary.

[smittyc]

Hilary Clinton has left a river of blood where ever she has landed. There was Vince Foster, the McDougals. Egypt, Libya and now Syria are living nightmares for millions who live there. Glad to hear you're leaving, you are doing the world a favor.

[AnnieDanny]

Ridiculous trolling.

[Blackandtandog]

Actually a little psycho.

[cbs4111]

Hillary would be wasting her time as the VP. The VP is a do-nothing job that can be done by a complete idiot. Witness Joe Biden, the National Embarrassment.

[fedup12]

ha ha ha.... We would have really seen something if Palin had made it.

[AnnieDanny]

Secretary of State must be an extremely demanding job. Seems as if nobody wants to do it for more than 4 years.

[venusvegasvada]

Eye on the ball, no partisan politics. As it should be.

Well done on the Iran oil embargo too.

[HolyVoice]

I really takes a lot out of you, what going on. State has had reductions in budgets, reductions in staff, and a leveling off of capabilties due to less people doing more work. It's been rough these last two years. Probably more tired people in Arlington than ever before. I am not even sure that new leadership would boost the department, Clinton is normally a powerhouse of positive thinking.

I wonder if the word she should have used was apathetic, not tired. A person can only do so much, and you're only as good as the team around you.

[smittyc]

Just be glad you're not in Egypt, Libya or Syria. The torture and murder that came out of the Arab spring is climbing daily. The backlash that came out of the attempt to westernize these cultures is horrifying. The same in Afghanistan, the rebels are getting younger in age, early teens, and older in age, grandparents. If we don't get out we will soon be fighting their women. Bin Laden is dead, our attempt to change a seventh century culture is destroying the whole population in that country. Worse, even the allied Afghan Army hates our presence and the sight of an American soldier. I am no friend of Islam or their Shariah law, but we can no more change their customs and beliefs than they can change ours. The American presence in Afghanistan is a wasted effort of American soldiers and dollars. Bin Laden is dead, the Al Queada is broken, scattered and in hiding. Westernization in the middle east has completely collapsed under Hilary Clintons guidance.

[nacianne]

Maybe if she hadn't spent so much $$$$ running around the world and getting no where, the State Dept. could have hired more effective diplomats !!!!!!

[emelder2]

Hillary for VP. I'd like to see her switch roles with Biden now, take a month off to relax, then hit the campaign trail with Barack in support of congressional candidates. Let's take the Presidency and both houses of Congress ... with Hillary on the ticket and the campaign trail we can do just that!!! Let's go, Obama-Clinton 2012. Then in 2016, it's all hers. Win-Win for everybody.

[Zann-Zel]

Biden was looking a little tired.
That's the best idea I've heard all day! : )