Hillary Clinton says she’s ‘unlikely’ to stay Secretary of State

July 31, 2016

By Talia Ralph

US Secretary Hillary Clinton speaks about North Africa, at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, on October 12, 2012 in Washington, DC.
Mark Wilson

Hillary Clinton has indicated once more that she is "unlikely" to remain the US' Secretary of State much longer.

"A lot of people have talked to me about staying," Clinton said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal Thursday.

"When asked if current events will force her departure date to slip, she said it was 'unlikely,' but for the first time left open that possibility for the short term," wrote the Wall Street Journal's Monica Langley.

“She’s been honored to serve as President Obama’s secretary of state, and has loved every minute of leading this department and being part of the State family,” Clinton's spokesman Philippe Reines told the New York Times, in addition to sending along the definition of "unlikely" when asked by the Times to elaborate on the remarks.

“But she’s also been clear about her intention to leave after the first term," he continued. "She merely meant that at such an important time she wants to ensure continuity, and realizes the confirmation of her successor might not exactly line up with Jan. 22, 2013. Until her final day, she’s full speed ahead.”

Clinton's high popularity ratings have taken a hit over the Benghazi attacks which left four Americans dead, and the ongoing investigations into the incident may cause the Secretary of State to stay on into the next presidential term.

Obama, who told Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show” Wednesday that Clinton had "resisted his begging" to stay on, the Hill reported.

"She has done a great job. I would love for her to stay," said Obama. "I suspect that it is time for her to spend a little bit more time with her family."

Clinton has discussed bowing out of politics for some time now, even as various politicians including Nancy Pelosi and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand have urged her to run for president in 2016.