US SECRETARY OF STATE Hillary Clinton has ruled herself out of the running for the next two American presidential elections, saying she believes her country is ready for a female President but saying that woman wouldn’t be her.

Speaking to a New Zealand TV station, Clinton ended any speculation that may have arisen in the wake of Tuesday’s mid-term election results, in which her Democratic party was trounced by the Republicans who swept to control of the House of Representatives.

Asked by local station TV3 whether she had ruled herself out of the running,  Clinton was forthright in her denial.

“Oh yes, yes. I’m very pleased to be doing what I’m doing as secretary of state.”

Clinton’s response unequivocally put paid to rumours that the former First Lady was preparing to take a tilt at the Democratic nomination in 2016 – or possibly even in 2012, regardless of whether incumbent Barack Obama sought a second term.

In a separate interview, Reuters reports, Clinton was asked whether the US was ready to have a female president, she said, “It should be.”

But should that first female president be her?

“Well, not me. But it will be someone, and it is nice coming to countries that have already proven that they can elect women to the highest governing positions that they have in their systems.”

Clinton is on the home stretch of a two-week tour, meeting Australian prime minister Julia Gillard before returning home.