Clinton gives green light on making Michelle Obama cabinet member

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton says she would welcome giving US First Lady Michele Obama a position in the cabinet if she wins the bid for the White House in the 2016 presidential election.

The former secretary of state and New York senator made the remarks at an interview with Extra released on Monday.

Michele Obama is amongst the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, while Clinton’s favorability has has been extremely low compared to previous Democratic candidates.

Clinton was asked by the hostess if she would consider a cabinet position for the first lady.

The candidate embraced the idea, yet speculated that such a thing is unlikely as Michele Obama does not intend to be part of the US government.

“She’s made it pretty clear she wants to focus on important issues like girls’ education around the world – she and I actually talked about it when we were together in Winston-Salem [N.C.] – and I want to be the best partner I can be for whenever she wants to be involved in government again,” Clinton said. “I think she wants to take a break from it, but if she ever wants to do anything like that, I would be the number-one person.”

Clinton, who was the country’s first lady herself as President Bill Clinton was at helm between 1993 and 2001, described the job as a tough one, praising Michele for her efforts in the White House as well as her support the Democratic campaign.

“Well, I don’t know how anybody could have done what she’s done for the last eight years with more grace and more of a sense of purpose but inclusivity,” said the Democratic nominee. “She’s been an exemplary first lady, and I know how hard that job is… So I feel so close to her and I’m so appreciative of all the help she’s giving me, all the confidence and courage, because it’s hard.”

Earlier, President Obama had said that his wife would “never run for office,” in her life.

“She is as talented and brilliant a person as there is and I could not be prouder of her, but Michelle does not have the patience or the inclination to actually be a candidate herself,” the president said on a US radio show on Friday. "That’s one thing y’all can take to the bank.”

Michele Obama has delivered several powerful speeches to make the case for Clinton, including one at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in July.

She also spoke highly critical of GOP nominee Donald Trump in a speech following the release of his sexually offensive comments about women.

The mid-October speech on the “sad election season” was branded by Democrats as one of the most emotional ones on the campaign trail.

“We simply cannot endure this or expose our children to this any longer,” Michele Obama said of Trump’s lewd remarks about groping and kissing women without consent, while speaking at a rally in New Hampshire. “Now is the time for us all of us to stand up and say enough is enough. This has got to stop right now.”

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