Hillary Clinton: Secretary Of State Will Be 'My Last Public Position'

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plans on making her current role in the Obama administration her "last public position," she said Friday in response to persistent rumors that she might continue her political career by trading places with Joe Biden at vice president, replacing Defense Sec. Robert Gates when he retires next year, running for president in 2016, or even primarying Obama in 2012.

"I think I'll serve as secretary of state as my last public position and then probably go back to advocacy work, particularly on behalf of women and children, and particularly around the world because if you look at what is still happening to women in many parts of the world it is tragic and terrible," she told a reporter at a town hall in Bahrain, after rejecting a now seemingly obligatory question about her 2012 presidential aspirations.

Clinton then talked about her "fascinating and rewarding public career" working for the Children's Defense Fund, and said that she "would like to continue working to improve lives for others."

The Washington Post reports:

Clinton is in Bahrain as part of a six-day tour of Central Asia and the Middle East. On Thursday, she managed to touch down in four different countries--Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Bahrain--thanks to cooperative time zones and a willingness to work 22 hours straight. She is expected to return to Washington Saturday.

Comments

[Lynda Filler]

10:51 PM on 12/06/2010

I think we are maybe hearing 'the big take-away'..... :)

[DDRobert]

05:35 PM on 12/06/2010

it's cause of the whole spying thing that she ordered, isn't it?

[LittleMittens]

11:27 PM on 12/05/2010

It would be wonderful if she was picked over Biden for the VP in 2012!

[isaidit]

05:15 AM on 12/05/2010

Well, you will be a grandma any day now, also. You'll need time for Vera, Chuck and Dave. And you done well. No one can take that away from you.

[Justaminute]

11:25 PM on 12/04/2010

I'm sorry, I should have voted for you, Ms. Clinton.

[DocSyracuse]

01:42 AM on 12/05/2010

Not a fan, but I think she would have picked a better cabinet from the get-go. Probably would have handled the HC bill better after her previous, failed attempt. I suspect she would have picked a more effective running mate as well.

[dumosumo]

10:32 PM on 12/04/2010

She could write a book on the feckless presidents she has known.

[DocSyracuse]

01:43 AM on 12/05/2010

The response here is just too easy...

[Matt12]

10:30 PM on 12/04/2010

Hey, Chris Hitchens, there’s a G_d!

[AnnfromCA]

10:16 PM on 12/04/2010

I've been saying this for months.  Hillary is going to retire from Amercan politcs.
 
She'll join Bill in his Foundation work.
 
She's done.

[TommyMcCarthy]

07:05 AM on 12/05/2010

Hi Anne........It's been some time.....and you're right

"Ruth was a Lady....and a Lady....always knows when it's time to leave..."
Miss Sipsy to Idgie Threadgoode

What might have been eh?.......Ever a class act

Hoping you are well
TM

[docheels]

09:35 PM on 12/04/2010

Hillary's a sharp lady, and I'm surprised she hasn't resigned as Sec of State. It's too bad she had to be the 'fall girl' over Wikileaks. The biggest tragedy of her career is that she was a great help/advisor to her husband, but he has not been the same degree of help to her. She'll be OK...go live your life Hillary, and your marriage is your business.

[lawg01177]

06:47 PM on 12/04/2010

AFTER CANDIDATE for the DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION Baby!
Bring Back Bill--Bring Back Bill! Man I love that guy!

[eahce]

10:07 PM on 12/04/2010

Would that include the bim bo brigade?

[lawg01177]

10:36 PM on 12/04/2010

If it gets him his MOGO going? SURE!

[Sharon Martinez]

12:22 AM on 12/16/2010

I would vote for him in a flash......I love him. He can do anything in the gov..Love that guy!!!!
Who cares about the bimbo's. Thats Hillary's problem. I love her too. She is one fiesty lady.

[AishaK]

06:33 PM on 12/04/2010

Can you imagine SP and Hillary running against each other? The debates? SP trying to discredit any of Hillary's opinions? SNL would have months of material. Hilary would play it straight and SP would be the side-kick!

[MInchau]

06:07 PM on 12/04/2010

A great American hero. Thanks for you service Hillary.

[mtrav]

07:28 PM on 12/04/2010

Seconded. She should be President right now.

[leajazz]

07:43 PM on 12/04/2010

Right on, I wanted her now? Obama should have waited, then make his move.F&F!

[NaaJane]

05:33 PM on 12/04/2010

with the type of 'chicken c.r.a.p' that BO has to deal with from the gop, dems and the media, who'd want that kind of disrepect. It would be great to have her as a vp in 2012, though.

[eahce]

10:12 PM on 12/04/2010

I liked her better when she was back in the Ozarks.

[LittleOldLadyWho]

04:57 PM on 12/04/2010

I figured as much.  She's a smart woman, and REALLY knows what she wants.  She's also acutely aware where her services, education, law license, etc. can be used wisely, and well!

Kudos to a woman who KNOWS what she wants, without the glittery, shiny, lights of sensationalism.

[leajazz]

07:50 PM on 12/04/2010

F&F! She is very smart and needs time out to live a little.