10 Questions for Madeleine Albright

Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008
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Madeleine Albright
Steve Pyke for TIME
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How will President Bush be judged when he leaves office? Dennis Su, SAN MARINO, CALIF.

Video

Conversation with Madeleine Albright

Former Secretary of State and U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Madeleine Albright is a powerful woman — but can she really leg-press 400 pounds?

Podcast

Listen to the Interview

TIME's Carolyn Sayre talks to the former U.S. Secretary of State

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Albright's life and career

The former Secretary of State has just published a book and speaks a great deal about US foreign policy

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I wrote my book Memo to the President Elect for the next President because they are going to have a very hard job to do. Our reputation is the lowest that it has ever been. This presidency has done a great deal of damage, and I'm very glad that it will end.

You have campaigned for Hillary Clinton. If she wins, will you accept a job as Secretary of State again? Rafael Mercene, MANILA

For somebody who loves foreign policy, being Secretary is the best job in the world—but it doesn't happen twice. The only person who was Secretary twice was Daniel Webster. I am not Daniel Webster.

What was your greatest accomplishment as Secretary? Lester Palencia Ordan SANTA CRUZ, PHILIPPINES

I was able to be part of a decision that saved a lot of lives in Kosovo. Afterward, I went to the capital, Pristina, and saw crowds of people with signs that said THANK YOU, USA. I am now thrilled that there is a generation of girls in Kosovo whose first name is Madeleine.

Did you ever make a decision that risked your credibility as a human-rights supporter? Armando Davila, MEXICO CITY

The hardest part of having that kind of power is deciding where to act and under what circumstances. I was the United Nations ambassador at the time of Rwanda, and I wish that we had been able to do more at the time.

What can be done to help stop the political unrest in Kenya? Erickson Young, TAMPA, FLA.

I think that the U.S. and the African Union should try to help resolve some of the political questions. Should the elections be rerun? Is there some way to get a power-sharing agreement between the current President and his challenger? It is important to get outside assistance before things get totally out of hand.

Should the West use China's Olympics to highlight environmental and human-rights concerns, or should we simply step back and enjoy the sports? Ali Strayton, LONDON

It is impossible to separate those things. People are very concerned about China's behavior, both internally and externally. I hope people enjoy the sports, and I hope the Americans do well, but I think it's very hard to expect that politics will not enter in.

What are your thoughts on the immigration debate? Seyi Falade, NEW YORK CITY

I'm troubled by it. When [my family] came from England during the war, people said, "You are welcome here. What can we do to help?" I am a beneficiary of the American people's generosity, and I hope we can have comprehensive immigration legislation that allows this country to continue to be enriched by those who were not born here.

Should the Constitution be amended to allow foreign-born Americans to run for President? Maggie Devcich, LOS ANGELES

I have never thought about it for myself, but I do think that many foreign-born Americans could be President. There should be a requirement that instead someone has to be raised in the U.S. for 25 years or something. For me, being raised in a free America made all the difference.

What advice do you have for women who want respect from their male colleagues? Dana Philbin, CHICAGO

Women have to be active listeners and interrupters—but when you interrupt, you have to know what you are talking about. I also think it is important for women to help one another. I have a saying: There is a special place in hell for women who don't.

You have dealt with very stressful situations. What do you turn to for comfort food? Mills Chapman, PHILADELPHIA

[Laughs.] Mashed potatoes. I try not to, because I hope people will notice I have lost a lot of weight since I was Secretary. [Instead] I try to seek comfort in apples.

To watch a video interview with Albright and to subscribe to the 10 Questions podcast on iTunes, go to time.com/10questions