WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is making it clear she wants to step aside if President Barack Obama is re-elected.

Clinton says she would stay on just long enough for a replacement to be named. Clinton told State Department staffers Thursday that two decades of service is enough, and that she's tired and is paying no attention to the GOP presidential debates.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says she is paying no attention to the Republican presidential primary debates and is again tamping down speculation that she might stay in government if President Barack Obama wins a second term.

Clinton told State Department employees Thursday that she is ready to step off "the high wire of American politics." She said she wants to find out just how tired she really is after 20 years as first lady, senator, aspiring presidential candidate and top U.S. diplomat.

As secretary of state, Clinton is barred from partisan politics and she acknowledged that it was a bit odd not to be participating this time. But, she said she is enjoying being away from the fray and hasn't watched any of the GOP debates.