By MATTHEW LEE
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON – Hillary Rodham Clinton never met a political battle she didn’t like. Until now.
Amid frenzied inside-Washington speculation about her political ambitions, the secretary of state is staying firmly on the sidelines. As Democrats and Republicans fight for control of Congress in next month’s midterms, the former first lady and senator will be sitting it out, literally half a world away.
Clinton ran staff and reporters ragged during her 2008 Democratic presidential campaign. Now, barred by convention and tradition from partisan political activity as America’s top diplomat, she is spending the weeks ahead of the Nov. 2 balloting doing administration business in Europe and Asia.