She was the polarizing First Lady who spoke of vast right wing conspiracies, the carpetbagger who came to New York with a Yankees cap and a Senate campaign, and the presidential contender in a pants suit.

No matter what the role, Hillary Clinton's critics have delighted in eviscerating her.

But now, as Secretary of State, her approval rating of 65 is higher than Michelle and President Barack Obama's. Even some conservatives have done a 180. Glenn Beck told me he would have voted for her in the 2008 election.

Talk about whether she's being "marginalized" has grown tiresome even among Washington wags.

She's gotten some serious frequent flyer miles – 140,000 of them - traveling to 36 countries, and improving relationships with Russia, Cuba and even Iran.

And she's helped oppressed women facing horrific abuse in places like Afghanistan and Congo.

Just what you'd expect from a woman who broke so many barriers here. Nice to see she's getting the respect she deserves…simply by doing her job.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.