“I have made it clear that I will certainly stay on until the president nominates someone and that transition can occur,” she said. “But I think after 20 years, and it will be 20 years, of being on the high wire of American politics and all of the challenges that come with that, it would be probably a good idea to just find out how tired I am. Everyone always says that when they leave these jobs.”

Elections, she said, “I’m sure will suck up a lot of the attention from following areas that we think are so important.” She cited resolving longstanding conflicts, helping bring people around the world out of poverty and trying to build up America’s reputation as some of the issues she wants to continue to advance before she leaves office.