Hillary Clinton
I'm a survivor. Life's offered up some tough challenges and a few setbacks. But I've emerged through it all much smarter, tougher, and wiser as a consequence. I was profoundly disappointed in losing the presidential primary sweepstakes to a guy who probably wasn't entirely ready for prime time. But I kept my honor and dignity in defeat.
I may not have been the most consequential secretary of state in the republic's history. But then again, my boss hasn't really let me own the big issues, like Iran and the Arab-Israeli peace process.
But you know what? It's just as well. Right now these issues are real losers, and I can go around giving great speeches and getting rave reviews and even bigger applause without really owning anything that I personally screwed up. And hey, the kind of planetary humanism I've pursued -- women's, girl's, and LGBT rights, Internet and religious freedom, the environment, technology and social media -- are important 21st-century issues. Nobody can say that I haven't been a loyal team player. My approval ratings are better than the president's.
I'm tired, though, and need a break to sort things out and decompress. I have a lot of options -- writing another big book, giving more speeches, working with Bill on his Global Initiative. All that sounds fine for a year or so, but it's pretty boring stuff. The truth is I'm not done with public life. When I look around, there are few more talented politicians on either side with my experience and star power. James Buchanan wasn't such a great secretary of state either, but he was the last to ascend from the job to the presidency. And I know I can be a better president than he was. It will be risky, though. If Obama wins in 2012, the historical odds of his being replaced by another Democrat aren't all that great. It's only happened once since FDR -- Bush 41 and Reagan. But hey, I'm a trendsetter. And I'm tired of always losing out to the boys. I can't wait to see Bill as first lady.
Brendan Smialowsk/AFP/GettyImages
SUBJECTS:
