Clinton Defends Comments About Ignoring GOP Campaign Talk

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday defended her comments that Muslims around the world should pay no attention to the campaign trail rhetoric coming from the Republican candidates hoping to unseat President Barack Obama.

"I was asked whether the comments in the primary campaign, some of which have been quite inflammatory, represented America," Clinton told CNN. "I represent America and I know what happens in campaigns. I've been there, done that, and I know that things are said that, you know, are not going to be put into practice or policy, but I did think I needed to point that out to the audience."

During a speech in Tunisia Saturday, Clinton was asked about the pro-Israel stance nearly every U.S. politician takes when running for office.

“You will learn as your democracy develops that a lot of things are said in political campaigns that should not bear a lot of attention,” Clinton responded. “There are comments made that certainly don’t reflect the United States, don’t reflect our foreign policy, don’t reflect who we are as a people."

Clinton also appeared to walk back comments she made predicting Obama would be re-elected in November, considered an unusually overt political statement from the country's top diplomat.

"Probably my enthusiasm for the president got a little out of hand," Clinton said, adding that she only wants what's best for the country.

Despite her post, Clinton said it's sometimes hard to stop her political juices from flowing.

"I tried to dampen them down, get them taken out in a blood transfusion, but they occasionally rear their ugly heads," she said.