Post your question for, wait for it, Hillary Clinton...

[JustineMumsnet]

UPDATE: Watch Hillary's answers to your questions - scroll down to the bottom of the OP!

Yes, really. No, we're not kidding. Hillary Clinton - the former US Secretary of State, former First Lady and rumoured likely Democratic presidential candidate for 2016 - is visiting the UK this week to talk about her new book, Hard Choices: her memoir of her time in office as President Obama's agent overseas, after running against him for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 election. As Secretary of State, she was arguably the most powerful woman in the world for four years; if she were to revive her bid for the presidency and succeed Obama to the White House in two years' time, there'd be no contest. And this Friday, she'll be answering your questions.

Unsurprisingly, her time is strictly limited to 20 mins per session with the world's media, so rather than the usual webchat format, we figured we'd cover more ground by putting your questions to her on camera. We reckon we'll have time for about eight questions, depending on length, so in order to make sure that we ask the ones you'd most like to have answered, Tech have created a tool whereby you can nominate your favourite. Please do read through the thread and cast your vote - you can see the top 10 questions, ranked by number of votes, in the box to the right. We'll take the top eight along with us on Friday morning, and get the video up on site as quickly as possible.

So: what is it you've always wanted to ask Hillary Clinton? Now's your chance! And remember just one question each, please, or we'll be confused about what we're voting for.

UPDATE: Hillary answers your questions...

[Meglet]

Hillary,

I understand that the USA has the poorest maternity leave policy out of pretty much all the developed nations with just 12 weeks unpaid leave? This must have an impact on the health of mothers and children and the well being of those families when mothers return to work sooner than they are physically or mentally ready.

Do you have plans to introduce paid maternity leave in the USA to bring it in line with other developed nations?

Good luck in 2016.

[Justawaterformeplease]

How do you think, in the eyes of the world's media, you'll be able to break out from your husband's shadow and shake off the shackles of "that woman"?

[GarlicJulyKit]

Er, no intelligent questions to ask ... but WOW! Nice one, Mumsnet :D

[diggerdigsdogs]

What question do you wish you were asked more and which question do you wish you were asked less?

(that's one question right?)

[diggerdigsdogs]

And bloody well done MN.

[TanteRose]

wow, what a scoop, MN!

Hillary, you spoke recently of the "double standard" in the media's treatment of women, and you certainly have been subjected to concerted rounds of twaddle about your appearance etc.

Is there anything that can be done about this, or is this the price you have to pay for the freedom of the press to say what they want?

[Pagwatch]

Goodness, how fabulous!

[HermioneWeasley]

My mind has gone blank except to jibber about how fabulous I think she is.

Ok, Hillary in your opinion what's the single biggest issue that would improve the lives of women around the world?

[LeMousquetaireAnonyme]

Hillary,

What pieces of advice would you give to the children of the 21st century and how different are they from the ones that you have received yourself or have given to Chelsea?

Thank you.

[meringue33]

Good question Meglet

If you had left Bill over his infidelity in the 90s, what impact would that have had on his electability, and yours? Is 'standing by your man' still seen as the only politically acceptable decision for women, both in the UK and USA?

[Blondieminx]

Amazing scoop, well done Justine!

Hillary, welcome to mumsnet and I really hope you stand in 2016! What do you think can be done to encourage more women globally to get into politics? Really high profile women like you are so few, so well done for blazing the trail!

[DoctorTwo]

Why should people vote for you if Elizabeth Warren stands for president, given that Mrs Warren is actively speaking out against the corporations that run the US and you are not?

That is one of millions of questions I have for Mrs Clinton. I deliberately didn't ask about "American Exceptionalism", you'll note. :)

[stinkingbishop]

Why didn't you LTB?

JOKE. Well, sort of.

Will be along with a better one soon.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

With your position and income level why did you stay with a nan that repeatedly humiliated you in front of the whole world? Or was the extra income and position worth it?!

[lljkk]

In next five years, what do you think is going to happen in Iraq, Syria and the middle east?

[lljkk]

And I wouldn't ask HC about cookies (biscuits). Especially not about baking them. I'll never forget her snapping that she had better things to do with her time.

[SpecialAgentFreyPie]

If you run in 2016 and win, how hard will you be on the NRA? We hear about these massacres almost monthly, is it time for America to TRULY crack down on guns?

[Cocolepew]

Wow, seriously impressed with this.
Can't think of an intelligent question now, obviously,

[frankblackswife]

What motivates a strong, intelligent woman to stay married to a serial adulterer who obviously has no respect for himself or you?

[Isabeller]

"You make women's competence and achievements more visible on the world stage. What would you like to say to women and girls who are inspired by your example?"

Go Mumsnet!

[BrainSurgeon]

OMG well impressed, amazing job MN!

I'm feeling pretty stupid but I'm afraid the question that came to mind was similar to franksblaclwife (except for the last part, don't agree with the "obviously ..." bit)

Why did you stay, will we ever find out the real reason?

[JohnFarleysRuskin]

I think many in the UK have found Obama's presidency to be a disappointment: health reforms, gun control measures, economic reforms didn't go far enough/were blocked.

How or why could it be any different with you in charge?

[VivaLeBeaver]

As a former Secretary of State what do you think is the toughest challenge that the western world faces right now?

[AnsonsVoyageRoundTheWorld]

.



Why Mumsnet?

Are you a secret Mumsnetter?


(Ok I know that is actually two questions but one is in italics so it hardly counts)

[juneau]

Wow MN - Hillary Clinton!! What a fabulous coup!

As for only one question ... oh goodness - there are so many things I'd love to ask her about stepping out of Bill's shadow, constantly having her appearance be more commented on that what she says, America's continued support of Israel and unwillingness to sanction Israel over its settler communities in Palestinian land, the special challenges facing a woman in what is still, depressingly, a the man's world of high level politics and international diplomacy ... I could go on.

However, I think I'm going to ask:
"Mrs Clinton, how concerned are you by the fact that big corporations are using lobbying as a way to get Congress to pass legislation that is advantageous to them, and how great an impact do you think this has on the laws that get passed?"

As an American citizen living in the UK I'd like to say that if you stand in 2016, you will have my vote! I'd love nothing more than to see a woman in the White House.