Clinton: I’d add Michelle Obama to my Cabinet

Hillary Clinton says she is open to making first lady Michelle Obama a member of her Cabinet should she become president.

“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,” she said in an interview with Extra released Monday.

{mosads}“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, the Democratic presidential nominee, added that she admires Obama’s work both in the White House and on the campaign trail.

“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,” she said.

“She’s been an exemplary first lady, and I know how hard that job is,” added Clinton, who is herself a former first lady. “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.”

President Obama said last Friday his wife would “never run for office,” despite her high-profile role in the 2016 race.

“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,” he said of Michelle Obama on the “Sway in the Morning” satellite radio show. “That’s one thing y’all can take to the bank.”

Michelle Obama has emerged as one of Clinton’s major surrogates after several powerful speeches promoting the former secretary of State.

The first lady grabbed headlines earlier this month, for example, by delivering a stinging rebuke to GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s past behavior toward women.