Clinton: Where women are marginalized, ‘rights are denied’

>>> with the widening gender gap and the recent political challenges to women's rights here, there's a lot of attention on hillary clinton 's future plans. so i asked her about that, about rush limbaugh and a lot more. when meryl streep introduced you at that same conference, she said of you, it is not a simple job to be a role model. it's an enormous burden but that's what we ask of her. are you willing to take that on?

>> well, i don't think of myself that way, but i know that i am considered that in the eyes of many people. and it's a great honor. it is a burden.

>> the most popular woman in the world for ten years in a row.

>> this is a great honor but it also carries with it a lot of responsibility, which i take very seriously. you know, i feel such a great privilege representing my country and in the role of secretary of state, dealing with you know, all of the front burner issues like the two we just talked about, syria and iran, but also continuing to advocate for the long-term changes like the fulfillment of women's rights as unfinished business in this century. which is good for america and good for the world.

>> there is a lot of unfinished business . you deserve a rest after this trip is over. everyone knows that and a lot of thanks. but there will come a time and there is a growing expectation that you will run for president. and complete the goals that you have for men and women.

>> well, andrea, that is also.

>> why not?

>> it's very flattering but you know, i'm not at all planning to do that. i have no, you know, desire or intention. i want to do the best job i can as the secretary of state for this president. i want to then take some time to get reconnected to the stuff that makes life worth living, you know, family, friends, the sort of activities that i enjoy. and i'll do some writing and some speaking and i'm sure i'll be continuing to advocate on these issues.

>> and then?

>> i mean, rush limbaugh in this campaign, did he go beyond anything that we have previously experienced in the way he attacked a civilian? a young woman who had just spoken up?

>> well, i try very hard to stay out of the politics so let me put the campaign and the implications to one side. that is for others to comment on.

>> as a woman's leader.

>> but as a woman and as someone who can vaguely remember being a young woman .

>> and as a mother.

>> and as a mother of a young woman of that age and generation, i thought the response was very encouraging. the response from the public, the response in particular from women cutting across all you kinds of categories. the response from advertisers. so i'll let that speak for itself. you know we as a nation have every right and in fact, i welcome it to engage in the kind of debate and dialogue that is at the root of who we are as americans. but let's not turn it into personal attacks and insults. we're beyond that. we're better than that, and people in the public eye have a particular responsibility to avoid it.

>> chelsea was on a panel with sandra fluke at the 92nd street y and she said rush limbaugh attacked you when you were 30. he attacked me when i was 13.

>> i read that she said that.

>> well, i think we need to call people out when they go over the line. they're entitled to their opinion but no one is entitled to engage in that kind of you know, verbal assault. let's keep it on the issues. if you disagree on the issues, let's have a vigorous debate. hopefully evidence-based. i would like that to be part of the debate but that's fair game . but whether it comes from the right, the left, up, down, wherever it comes from, let's all ask for a return to civility and the kind of debate that really enables citizens to make better decisions.

>> i just wanted to thank you very much for the interview.

>> thank you.

>> thank you for being with us.

>> always good to see you andrea.

>> and it was at a conference on march 10th in new york that hillary clinton was introduced by actress meryl streep who said that it is not a simple job to be a role model. it's not just being endlessly compassionate and polite and well groomed, it's equal parts of being who we actually are, it's representing all women as our very best selves and it is an enormous burden to be placed on any pair of rounded shoulders but that is what we ask of her. and that led to a standing ovation by about 2,000 women at lincoln center . hillary clinton very much on the minds of a lot of people who think that she is indeed a future candidate in 2016 . former