WASHINGTON (January 28, 2013)--President Barack Obama praised outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in an interview broadcast Sunday night on CBS’ “60 Minutes.”

He called Clinton one of his closest advisers and says their shared vision for America's role in the world persuaded his one-time rival and potential successor to be his top diplomat while he dealt with the shattered domestic economy.

During the joint interview, Mr. Obama and Clinton chuckled as they described their partnership and stoked speculation that Mr. Obama may prefer Clinton to succeed him in the White House after the 2016 elections, but both deflected questions about future campaigns.

"The president and I care deeply about what's going to happen for our country in the future" Clinton said.

"I don't think, you know, either he or I can make predictions about what's going to happen tomorrow or the next year,” she said.

Mr. Obama, who suggested the joint interview, called Clinton a friend and an extraordinary talent, and praised "her discipline, her stamina, her thoughtfulness, her ability to project."