POLITICS

Hillary Clinton: 'It's Time for Others to Step Up'

Updated: October 17, 2011 | 1:30 p.m.
October 17, 2011 | 8:08 a.m.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (Chet Susslin)

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton once again quashed rumors that she's still interested in running for president, this time in an interview with NBC’s Today on Monday.

From National Journal:

CAMPAIGN 2012 PICTURES: Meet the Candidates' Spouses

ANALYSISGOP Campaign Assessment: Perry In Serious Jeopardy

ECONOMY Protesting Is the Point for Occupiers

“I'm really old-fashioned. I feel I have made my contribution," Clinton said. "I’m very grateful I’ve had a chance to serve, but I think it’s time for others to step up." Writing, teaching, and working on issues that affect women and girls will be in her future, Clinton assured NBC's Savannah Guthrie; that and relaxing at home.

Clinton shrugged off speculation that she should run against President Obama in 2012—or that she should have been elected instead of him in 2008. “It feels irrelevant to me,” Clinton said. She praised Obama for doing “an excellent job under the most difficult circumstances.”

Clinton acknowledged that serving under Obama was initially awkward. Obama did, after all, beat her for the Democratic presidential nomination.

"It was a hard-fought election. I wanted to beat him, and he ended up beating me,” Clinton said. “But he asked me to serve.” She added, “at the end of the day, you have to be bigger than politics.”

Clinton said she gives Obama political advice “every so often,” but declined to elaborate.

Clinton attributed her current popularity simply to her two decades in the public eye. “Because I have been on the public consciousness for so long and on the television screens and people's homes, I think there is a comfort,” Clinton said.

Deep Reads From National Journal:
Chicago Is Testing Obama's Urban Policy | By Ron Brownstein
In Iraq, 'Maliki's Country Now' | By Yochi J. Dreazen
Occupy D.C., Not Wall Street | By Michael Hirsh

Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox. Sign up for National Journal's morning alert, Wake-Up Call, and afternoon newsletter, The Edge. Subscribe here.


Follow National Journal
Related Content
Expert Opinions
Transportation Experts

Oops! Judge Slams Local Public-Private Deal

May 17, 2013

Latest Response by Robert L. Darbelnet: Public Scrutiny Essential

Energy Experts

Should Washington Go Small on Energy and Climate Policy?

May 17, 2013

Latest Response by Jack Gerard: Minor Policies, Major Consequences

Energy Experts

Should Washington Go Small on Energy and Climate Policy?

May 16, 2013

Latest Response by Jonathan Silver: Woefully Little, Better Than Nothing

More Expert Opinions »
Columns
Charlie Cook: The Cook Report

Republicans Should Go Easy on Obama, At Least in Public

May 16, 2013
As a tactical matter, a subterranean campaign will score more direct hits on the president.
Ronald Brownstein: Political Connections

How the White House Scandals Could Hurt Republicans, Too

May 16, 2013
By enraging the base and strengthening the faction least willing to compromise with Obama, the IRS and Benghazi affairs could hurt a GOP shot at the presidency.
Norm Ornstein: Washington Inside Out

Eric Cantor’s Caucus Thwarts His Push for an Alternative Agenda

May 16, 2013
Cantor has learned that the tea-party movement he helped foster won’t fall in line behind his efforts to push an alternative conservative agenda.
More Columns »