Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke out in an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Diane Sawyer on Monday, stating that criticism over the Benghazi attacks is a motive to run for president rather than a hindrance.

“I view this as really apart from — even a diversion from — the hard work that the Congress should be doing about the problems facing our country and the world,” said Clinton in the interview about the Benghazi probes.

Following the deadly terrorist attack on a U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, Clinton has come under fire for her role in the handling of the attack. She openly accepted responsibility, but stated that she deferred decision-making to security experts.

The interview, which coincides with the Tuesday release of Clinton’s new book, “Hard Choices”, explores topics ranging from the former First Lady’s involvement in Benghazi, to the concussion she sustained in 2012 and whether it had any serious long-term effects on her health.

Clinton also divulged plans for a possible presidential campaign in 2016 but said she hopes to delay the decision to run until the end of the year.

“I just want to kind of get through this year, travel around the country, sign books, help in the midterm elections in the fall,” said Clinton, “and then take a deep breath and kind of go through my pluses and minuses about what I will – and will not – be thinking about as I make the decision [on whether or not to run].”

A new poll released Sunday by ABC News – Washington Post showed Clinton as the front-runner for Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters, with 69 percent supporting her possible nomination above other candidates. However, only 37 percent of Americans approve of her handling of the Benghazi attack as Secretary of State, which could prove to be a serious stumbling block to any future campaign.