US should elect woman president as soon as possible: Michelle

Washington: The US should elect a woman as president "as soon as possible" and the country is ready for it, First Lady Michelle Obama has said.

Her remarks come at a time when former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is being seen as a strong 2016 presidential candidate of the Democratic Party.

"That should happen as soon as possible," Michelle said in response to a question about when a woman should be elected to the highest office in the country.

"I think this country is ready. This country is ready for anyone who can do the job. What we have learned is that the person who can do the job is -- doesn't have a particular race or gender or background or socio-economic status," she said amidst applause at the White House Working Families Summit.

"The person who should do the job is the person who's the most qualified. I think we have some options, don't we?" Michelle Obama said in an apparent indirect reference to Clinton.

Following her strong answer, she was asked: "You sure you're not getting into politics? Because that answer was really good."

"I am positive," Michelle replied.