Madeleine Albright Opens Up

Do you miss having her job?

Yes. People who say they're glad when these big jobs end are lying. But the truth is, you know from the minute you start that someday it will end. I loved being Secretary of State, that's probably evident to everyone who watched me. I had real reason last week to reflect on this because I was recently honored at a cermony at Ellis Island honoring four immigrants — Tommy Lasorda, Shelly Lazarus, Frank McCourt and me. It made me realize how special it is to have grown up in America and to have the opportunity to sit behind a sign that said "United States." As hokey as that sounds I felt incredible pride in representing the U.S. and could have done it forever. But I'm very happy with what I'm doing now. As I approach my 69th year, I feel that I still have a lot to offer and a lot to learn. I'm good.

Would you serve as Secretary of State again?

It's not likely to happen. You don't usually get to go round twice on this. I'm very much hoping there will be Democratic Administration in 2008 and I'll be happy to help in any way I can. But I don't live in expectation of having that job again. I did love it and it was an honor. But the best part about no longer being Secretary of State is I've been able to answer your questions.

A couple more. In an interview with The New York Times last week you mentioned that you can leg-press 400 lbs. Now, this has been a topic of some discussion on ESPN and elsewhere.

I've gathered!

Why are people so fascinated by your weight training regimen?

No idea! But I want you to know got off the red-eye from Hawaii this morning and I went to exercise, just to prove that it wasn't a figment of my imagination.

You've also done a little acting. Are you turning down movie deals?

All my life I've enjoyed surprising people. People think I'm sooo serious and always thinking about foreign policy — and while I spend a great deal of time thinking about foreign policy, it's not all I do. I did enjoy appearing on the Gilmore Girls. I had my own trailer, my own hairdresser, the whole thing. And what I found in acting is that it was actually quite hard because you had to follow a script, totally, exactly, with every preposition and intonation. And so I think I'm better being Secretary of State.

Any other show you'd like to appear on?

Not that I can think of. 24? Though when The West Wing was in mid-stream they didn't have a National Security Advisor or a Secretary of State — all of the decisions were being made by a chief of staff, which wasn't exactly right.

How about Commander in Chief?

I can't say I loved it. I didn't like the premise of the way she became President. I want to see a woman elected.

Do you think it will happen in a couple years?

I hope so. Other counties have handled it and we always think of ourselves as being ahead of people. So I'd love to see that.