Hillary Clinton ‘happy to be out of politics’ [Video]

It was the test Hillary Rodham Clinton offered as she hoped to win the White House, the “3 a.m. call” she argued Barack Obama was not ready to answer.

But nearly four years later, Clinton is “happy to be out of politics” and a loyal member of the Obama team.

In an interview with NBC News from Bali, the secretary of State declined a chance to say whether the Republicans running for the office today are ready to stand in as commander in chief.

“I haven’t been, honestly, paying a lot of attention,” she said of the GOP race for president. “But I am very proud of the leadership that President Obama has shown. He’s demonstrated unequivocally that he’s ready, willing and able to do whatever’s necessary for our country.”

Clinton has ruled out endlessly the notion that she’d potentially be on the ticket this year, replacing Vice President Biden. In fact, the former first lady and New York senator says she’ll have no role at all in the 2012 race.

“By law, I cannot,” she said. “So I think my biggest contribution is to do the best job I can for our country.”

Clinton does have a role in what some have called a political decision -- to delay a decision on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline until 2013.

The State Department announced last week that it would study alternate routes for the $7-billion pipeline, seeking to calm environmentalists who have mobilized against the proposal.

Clinton said all decisions were in the hands of experts.

“It’s a largely technical, scientific process. Since I am neither, I can’t really comment on how long it would take to do properly,” she said. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy