Hillary Clinton: Obama's 'Envious' of Her Election Day Trip Far, Far Away

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton joked Tuesday that President Barack Obama may be jealous of her for being out of the country for hotly contested congressional midterm elections that are expected to see Republicans make big gains.

Clinton told students and civic leaders in Malaysia that she had spoken to Obama by phone on the eve of the vote, and joked that she thought he seemed "a little envious" that she was abroad for an election that may see Democrats lose control of Congress.

"I think he was a little envious that I am here," Clinton said, describing the phone call she and Obama had at 1 a.m. — midday Monday on Washington time.

Barred from partisan political activity as America's top diplomat, Clinton said she personally thought Obama is doing an "excellent job" in handling complex domestic and foreign policy matters.

"The president inherited a very difficult set of problems and has been persistent and visionary in addressing" them, she said.