Bill has high hopes for Chelsea

2008-11-19 19:05

Berlin - Former US president Bill Clinton said he would back his wife Hillary if she became secretary of state but has even bigger political hopes for their daughter Chelsea, in an interview released on Wednesday.

"If (president-elect Barack) Obama offers it to her and she accepts I will support Hillary 100%," the 62-year-old Clinton told German celebrity magazine Bunte.

"She is the most talented public servant I have ever worked with."

But Clinton said Chelsea, 28, was even better-suited for higher office.

"She is the best politician in our family," he was quoted as saying.

"Hillary and I are very proud of her because she never tried to take advantage of our position. I would think it was wonderful if Chelsea went into politics."

Since college, the former first daughter has worked for consulting giant McKinsey and hedge fund manager Avenue Capital.

She joined her mother's campaign for the Democratic nomination for the presidency late last year and won praise for her poise and eloquence - and favourable comparisons with her gaffe-prone father.

- AFP