Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: News
Chelsea Clinton visits campus
Emily Schultheis
Like any daughter, Chelsea Clinton doesn't always agree with her mother.
But none of those differences in opinion came up yesterday, when hundreds of Penn students gathered on Wynn Commons to hear the former first daughter speak about the presidential campaign of her mother, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.
"There are issues I disagree with my mother on," Chelsea Clinton said. "But those are for my kitchen table."
In light of the results from Tuesday's primaries in Ohio and Texas, Chelsea Clinton's visit to Penn comes at a crucial point in her mother's campaign - particularly since the fate of the Democratic nomination hinges on the outcome of the Pennsylvania primary next month.
Chelsea Clinton began with general remarks about her mother's candidacy. She then fielded questions from audience members.
Though she was asked about a wide range of issues, Chelsea Clinton focused largely on Hillary Clinton's preparedness for the presidency, as well as major issues like health care and foreign policy.
When asked about the Bush-Clinton monopoly on the presidency over the past 20 years, she said, "You shouldn't vote for or against my mother because of my father."
Chelsea Clinton also received questions about her mother's close race with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and whether she thought superdelegates would determine the nomination. She stressed that the Democratic primaries are far from over, and thus the issue of superdelegates is still premature.
"There are still a lot of states that have to vote," she said. "We're in one right now."
She mentioned the issue of Florida, a state that her mother won but that currently has no pledged delegates at the Democratic National Convention this August, because the state held its primary earlier than party rules allowed.
Chelsea Clinton said her mother would fight to seat the delegates, but the chances of this are up in the air.
"I have no more insight than you do," she said to her audience.
Students who attended the event said they were impressed.
Even though College junior Oscar Benitez is an Obama supporter, he said he thought Chelsea Clinton was "very well spoken and answered questions sincerely."
Penn for Hillary spokesman and College freshman Patrick Bauer said the Clintons will be "all over Pennsylvania" in the coming weeks and that yesterday's event reflects the campaign's "commitment to young voters."
But none of those differences in opinion came up yesterday, when hundreds of Penn students gathered on Wynn Commons to hear the former first daughter speak about the presidential campaign of her mother, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.
"There are issues I disagree with my mother on," Chelsea Clinton said. "But those are for my kitchen table."
In light of the results from Tuesday's primaries in Ohio and Texas, Chelsea Clinton's visit to Penn comes at a crucial point in her mother's campaign - particularly since the fate of the Democratic nomination hinges on the outcome of the Pennsylvania primary next month.
Chelsea Clinton began with general remarks about her mother's candidacy. She then fielded questions from audience members.
Though she was asked about a wide range of issues, Chelsea Clinton focused largely on Hillary Clinton's preparedness for the presidency, as well as major issues like health care and foreign policy.
When asked about the Bush-Clinton monopoly on the presidency over the past 20 years, she said, "You shouldn't vote for or against my mother because of my father."
Chelsea Clinton also received questions about her mother's close race with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and whether she thought superdelegates would determine the nomination. She stressed that the Democratic primaries are far from over, and thus the issue of superdelegates is still premature.
"There are still a lot of states that have to vote," she said. "We're in one right now."
She mentioned the issue of Florida, a state that her mother won but that currently has no pledged delegates at the Democratic National Convention this August, because the state held its primary earlier than party rules allowed.
Chelsea Clinton said her mother would fight to seat the delegates, but the chances of this are up in the air.
"I have no more insight than you do," she said to her audience.
Students who attended the event said they were impressed.
Even though College junior Oscar Benitez is an Obama supporter, he said he thought Chelsea Clinton was "very well spoken and answered questions sincerely."
Penn for Hillary spokesman and College freshman Patrick Bauer said the Clintons will be "all over Pennsylvania" in the coming weeks and that yesterday's event reflects the campaign's "commitment to young voters."
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 11
John B Sheffield
posted 3/06/08 @ 5:31 AM EST
The Clinton Dynasty! continues Chelsea like Hilary and Billy has the same arrogance, the Divine Right to Rule. In a recent London interview she informed readers that she would be the second female President after Hilary. (Continued…)
Nancy
posted 3/06/08 @ 8:15 AM EST
Hillary Wants To Close The Student Achievement Gap And Invest $10 Billion For Universal Access To Pre-kindergarten. This Would Give Our Students The Higher Education Needed To Compete Globally Once Again With Countries Like Japan Where The Benefits Of Education Are A Part Of The Structure From Birth Giving Them Yet Another Significant Lead Over Our Students. (Continued…)
Too F. Funny Jr. III
posted 3/06/08 @ 8:25 AM EST
John B - Your own arrogance shines through by the inclusion of your pompous middle intial in a blog. Hillary must be a pretty good candidate if you have to attack her husband and daughter! I'm sure Mike Huckabee appreciates your vote. (Continued…)
Bush 00 & 04 to Obama 08
posted 3/06/08 @ 10:18 AM EST
I am a Libertarian who voted for George Bush twice. I never thought I would consider voting for a Democratic candidate for that office, but I would vote for Barack Obama if he is the nominee. (Continued…)
John
posted 3/06/08 @ 1:26 PM EST
Bush 00 & 04,
With all due respect, your argument for voting for Barack Obama is one of the weakest I've ever heard. You disagree with his policies, yet you think someone who hasn't even served one term in the Senate, represented an incredibly liberal area of Chicago in the Illinois State Senate and voted like one (when he wasn't skipping votes), and speaks in abstractions and utopian cliches can "unite the country and improve our standing in the world. (Continued…)
Bush 00 & 04 to Obama 08
posted 3/06/08 @ 5:42 PM EST
John and Sean,
I realize that my position may seem absurd to those on the Right but the reality is, for me, this election has very little to do with policy and a lot to do with avoiding our country's current descent into bitter divisiveness. (Continued…)
to Nancy
posted 3/06/08 @ 9:39 PM EST
Perhaps YOU may have been better off with a halfway decent education. Privste school didn't teach you not to capitalize every noun in your sentences? You didn't learn proper grammer, syntax, and advanced vocabulary? No wonder you feel that we are all as badly off as you are. (Continued…)
Ben
posted 3/07/08 @ 4:04 PM EST
Weird, she makes faces like her mother when she speaks, but her voice sounds like her father's.
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