Asia-Pacific

Clinton says Obama believes 8 years is enough

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-18 09:10

WASHINGTON - Eight years as US president is enough, thank you. At least that is what Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says President Barack Obama told her the other day.

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Clinton said Tuesday that she and Obama often marvel over foreign despots who want to stay in power for decades.

She told a State Department forum that neither she nor Obama can understand leaders who refuse to transfer power and cling to office for 10, 20, 30 or 40 years.

She says she and the president joke: "Oh, my gosh. Can you imagine?"

Clinton says Obama told her, "I'm going to win re-election, and then I'm done," a remark that drew laughter from the audience.

US presidents are constitutionally barred from a third term.