Flash: Chelsea Clinton is a Competent Adult

It had to happen.

Someone at some campaign stop had to ask Chelsea Clinton about Monica Lewinsky.

That was the one certainty when the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign decided upon the creepy strategy of sending a 28-year-old woman out on the trail as a surrogate who would take questions from crowds but not from reporters.

The theory was that a reporter would have asked Chelsea Clinton about her father's affair with a White House intern. And that the Clinton camp decided was something that had to be guarded against.

It was always bizarre that the Clinton campaign decided that the daughter of the candidate could not handle questions from crowds but not from journalist -- apparently on the theory that the journalists would be indelicate.

Those of us who have covered Chelsea Clinton were certain she could handle whatever came her way.

And, of course, she did.

On Tuesday at Butler College in Indiana, she got the question.

The school's mascot is a bulldog, so the hyper-controlling campaign probably should have expected that the last question for Miss Chelsea would be about whether her mother's credibility had been, er, damaged by her response to dad's dalliance.

Chelsea Clinton's response:

"Wow, you're the first person actually that's ever asked me that question in the, I don't know maybe, 70 college campuses I've now been to, and..." then she paused for dramatic effect before concluding, "I do not think that is any of your business."

The 200 students applauded.

Clinton then showed all the poise of an old campaigner by saying, "And I don't think that should be the last question."

She then ably handled an inquiry about global warming.

And that was that.

Perhaps, now, the Clinton campaign will decide that Chelsea Clinton -- who at this point is the only member of the family who has not embarrassed herself on the campaign trail -- can and should be treated as an adult.

But that won't happen -- not because the Clinton camp actually fears tough questions but because it easier to control the message by maintaining the "Chelsea's a kid" line. So they will.

And her mother and father will continue stepping in it while the most competent Clinton continues to campaign with training wheels rather than as the able adult that she is.

Comments (78)

1. How about that Dream Ticket?...Obama/Clinton....

   'cept it's Chelsea, instead of the Queen Mum?

   Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 09:36am

2. John Nichols -- The Nation -- 26 March 2008:

   '...Perhaps, now, the Clinton campaign will decide that Chelsea Clinton -- who at this point is the only member of the family who has not embarrassed herself on the campaign trail -- can and should be treated as an adult.

   But that won't happen -- not because the Clinton camp actually fears tough questions but because it easier to control the message by maintaining the "Chelsea's a kid" line....'

   Michelle Obama -- Speech Feb 2008:

   '...What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback. And let me tell you something -- for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I've seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues, and it's made me proud....'

   Posted by HonestLiberal at 03/26/2008 @ 09:53am

3. Posted by HONESTLIBERAL 03/26/2008 @ 09:53am

   Can you actually type...or just Cut & Paste?

   heheh

   Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 10:03am

4. No, Mr. Nichols, this just makes her a competent Clinton.

   Posted by FritztheCat at 03/26/2008 @ 10:22am

5. Posted by MASK 03/26/2008 @ 10:03am

   Maybe they're too lazy to type. Maybe the posts are unsucessful attempts at being witty. I don't know.

   Anyway, i saw the video clip of her answering the quesiton. I thought she did a good job deflecting the question. Especially when she just turned her back on the person and went to someone else. She didn't cry or become emotional in any way. I was impressed. I have never really heard her speak so it wasn't bad for a first impression.

   Posted by k330k at 03/26/2008 @ 10:22am

6. Posted by K330K 03/26/2008 @ 10:22am

   Given this week, I can think of a MUCH tougher question for Chelsea-

   "Do you think your father would have allowed your mother to go into an airport in danger of sniper fire? Or allowed the military to allow her plane to land in such a dangerous situation?"

   Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 10:42am

7. chelsea is definately my favorite clinton. turned out right attractive too.

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 03/26/2008 @ 10:59am

8. Hooray, Chelsea! I've never doubted that the Clinton's have raised a very bright, confident woman.

   Okay, Team HRC, here's your elegant, graceful way out of the nasty hole you've dug us into. Chelsea can be the very public face of initial and ongoing reconciliation.

   Posted by Egalitare at 03/26/2008 @ 11:05am

9. The Q is dumb because it's personal enough to invite deflection.

   Less deflectable, more substantive, might have been: Your father was the 2nd president in US history to be impeached. That affected Al Gore's campaign for the presidency. How is that affecting your mother's campaign for the presidency?

   Harder to avoid answering, but not impossible.

   Yet with either Q, you can be sure she has been well prepped by Billary handlers.

   Posted by sloper at 03/26/2008 @ 11:05am

10. Yeah, that's not a tough question. I'd like to see someone ask her about the Clintons' religious associations, or their ties to the Saudis...

    Posted by nicR at 03/26/2008 @ 11:27am

11. Given this week, I can think of a MUCH tougher question for Chelsea-

    "Do you think your father would have allowed your mother to go into an airport in danger of sniper fire? Or allowed the military to allow her plane to land in such a dangerous situation?"

    Posted by MASK 03/26/2008 @ 10:42am | ignore this person

    BTW, I believe Chelsea was on that trip as well (could be wrong). "Do you believe your parents would have sent you into such a dangerous situation?"

    Posted by SLOPER 03/26/2008 @ 11:05am | ignore this person

    Chelsea response: "I was not involved in Gore campaign, but with more than 50% of the popular vote in 2000, it did not seem to be an issue. Whether or not it has affected this campaign? See Michigan, Florida, Ohio, California, New York..."

    It wouldn't take Mark Penn to prep her on that answer.

    Posted by BizarroRio at 03/26/2008 @ 11:32am

12. Yeah, that's not a tough question. I'd like to see someone ask her about the Clintons' religious associations, or their ties to the Saudis...

    Posted by NICR 03/26/2008 @ 11:27am | ignore this person

    We will know more about their ties to the Saudi's on or about April 15...hehehe

    Posted by BizarroRio at 03/26/2008 @ 11:35am

13. How about that Dream Ticket?...Obama/Clinton....

    'cept it's Chelsea, instead of the Queen Mum?

    Posted by MASK 03/26/2008 @ 09:36am | ignore this person

    Ain't that the truth! Yeah, we all know she's not 35, so she's not eligible. But she gave the answer that her father should have given 10 years ago.

    Posted by jmusolino at 03/26/2008 @ 11:52am

14. BIZAR: Gore himself has said Clinton's impeachment was an issue, for him and for the electorate. His thin popular vote margin would have been considerably wider if Clinton hadn't been impeached, IOW, he would have become president & spared US & world much of the last 7 years of disasters.

    If Chelsea were to answer in the way you suggest, she would leave herself open for follow ups indicating the many more states HRC has lost, as well as the popular vote trailing Obama's.

    On April 15 there is no legal obligation for Bill Clinton to release publicly the donor list to his library's foundation, and that's where most, if not all Saudi money has gone.

    All TV clips show Chelsea very prominently with her mother in Tuzla, hence that event would indeed be fair game for Qs.

    To assume that Chelsea has gone out campaigning without prepping from Billary handlers is naive & unknowledgeable in the ways of presidential campaigns. She handles herself well & is well handled.

    Posted by sloper at 03/26/2008 @ 11:55am

15. Posted by SLOPER 03/26/2008 @ 11:55am

    Actually the question becomes even WORSE for Chelsea...

    "Do YOU have a 'different memory' of being in Bosnia, like your mother...or do you remember it the way it REALLY HAPPENED?!?!??"

    Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 12:15pm

16. How about that Dream Ticket?...Obama/Clinton....

    'cept it's Chelsea, instead of the Queen Mum?

    Posted by MASK 03/26/2008 @ 09:36am

    Is she running too? That's three Clintons aiming for the White House! Does she have a boyfriend? That could make four.

    Posted by jackwells at 03/26/2008 @ 12:18pm

17. Are Democracy loving Americans not yet sick and tired of quasi-monarchical family rule. This discussion of Chelsea being some heir apparent to the prominent throne of the Clinton's within the American political arena is tres bizarre.

    The Brit's have their families, the Saudi's have their families, and so too do the American's. Who really wants to further promote this Oligarchy.

    ps. If my comment is totally ignorant and childish, I understand because I am both of those things.

    Posted by felixcommi at 03/26/2008 @ 12:18pm

18. Posted by SLOPER 03/26/2008 @ 11:55am | ignore this person

    First off I am not an HRC supporter, just producing the political answer. The Gore issue would be dismissed and deflected by saying that the election was not lost but instead stolen (favorite canard of the Gore-ites). Any question of the states lost would already coincide with the stock HRC answer that those states don't matter (ridiculous) and the popular vote was tainted by those states (again ridiculous).

    "On April 15 there is no legal obligation for Bill Clinton to release publicly the donor list to his library's foundation, and that's where most, if not all Saudi money has gone." Sloper 03/26/2008 @ 11:55am

    But they would have to release the income that he has earned lobbying for the various foreign (read ME) countries. This is better than the libraries, the libraries can be dismissed the same way the campaign contribution questions get dismissed-"We can not control every donation we receive..."

    Furthermore, I never stated that Chelsea is not thoroughly prepped. I was making a snide remark about the ease of preperation for that particular question and Mark Penns huge salary. The better question is to ask about the clear cut lie HRC made about her involvement in Bosnia and the "danger" she and her daughter (BTW, thanks for the confirmation) were in and the relationship she makes to her 35 years of experience (Pile of BS). This facade of experience needs to be hammered by the BO campaign in order to change the story from Rev Wright to HRC's incessant over inflating of her experience and its connection to the issue of "she will say anything to get elected" perceptions.

    I will try to communicate my implied contempt for HRC on future posts.

    Posted by BizarroRio at 03/26/2008 @ 12:22pm

19. Looks like she is learning to lie and deflect attention from the original question. So a presidential candidate's credibility is none of our business. She took a legitimate question and turned it around to be something personal. She is learning from the best of liars.

    Posted by abell12ct at 03/26/2008 @ 12:34pm

20. Posted by JACKWELLS 03/26/2008 @ 12:18pm

    Well, on a serious note, as somebody noted...she's 28 and not eligible under the Constitution.

    On a less serious note, given Hillary has "folded in" her years in the White House as First Lady as part of her "vast experience"...

    why can't Chelsea do that for her 8 years as "First Daughter"?

    I mean, she travelled overseas...met foreign dignitaries...maybe even was standing in the Oval Office, waiting to get a permission slip signed for school, when Bill was meeting with the Economic Advisors?....that alone, would "qualify" her to "deal with the tough issues"....right?

    heheh

    Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 12:35pm

21. She answered this nasty mudslinger (possibly a media plant), with a poised and dignified manner. A true feminist, smart, she makes her mother look good!

    Posted by nursevic at 03/26/2008 @ 12:36pm

22. Content-free analysis as always from the Obama crowd.

    Posted by EULER 03/26/2008 @ 12:34pm

    Where as Hillary's folks are...."truth-free".

    BTW, EULER, seen the video of Hillary arriving in Bosnia? Hear any sniper fire? Who you going to trust, the Dark Queen or your lying eyes?!?!?

    heheh

    Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 12:37pm

23. who the fuck cares if they lie to get elected? I'm not looking for a symbol, just an effective manager, nothing more!).----Posted by EULER 03/26/2008 @ 12:41pm

    Hmm?....what if they're LYING about their effective management skills?

    Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 12:53pm

24. Posted by MASK 03/26/2008 @ 12:53pm | ignore this person

    they elect bush - he lies - they curse him for lying...

    they elected bill - he lied - they curse him for lying...

    lies lies lies! damn lying politicians!

    oh, they all lie...no big deal...

    ????????????????????????????????????????????

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 03/26/2008 @ 1:11pm

25. Posted by EULER 03/26/2008 @ 1:16pm

    So, let's look at the "logic"

    "Washington probably lied" "Lincoln- obsessive liar"....

    and Hillary's a proven liar...

    ergo, Hillary will be a great President!

    Ah............ha.

    Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 1:29pm

26. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 03/26/2008 @ 1:11pm

    I think I stumped him a bit.....Doesn't mind if Her Majesty is a liar, as long as she's an "effective manager".

    But...SHE tells us she's an effective manager, and she has a tendency to lie.

    Seems a bit of a paradox, huh?....LOL!

    Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 1:30pm

27. Posted by EULER 03/26/2008 @ 1:14pm | ignore this person

    the place they'll ask for money [barackobama.com] wikiobama [tinyurl.com]

    fish around these sites - actually the wiki entry gives the info quicker without asking for money (the obama campaign has plenty of that)...

    by the way...i have lied, you have lied, your momma has lied, blah blah blah blah...

    and i'm positive obama has lied...but lets be careful about what i call "the fallacy of absolutes".

    if someone has ever lied they are a LIAR!!!! in order to be honest, one must NEVER EVER LIE!!!!!

    silly, is it not? for me to call someone "a liar" they must do so consistantly, unnecesarily, blatantly and for questionable reasons...and i think ms. clinton fits THAT (reasonable) definition for "liar"...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 03/26/2008 @ 1:38pm

28. Interesting observation by John Nichols in his blog submission calling the use of presidential candidates' children to promote their campaigns, a creepy strategy. Either Mr. Nichols knows nothing of campaigns or is trying to take a deliberate swipe at all elected officials for using their families in this manner. I suppose it is also creepy to Mr. Nichols when he hears the wife of Mr. Obama claim her new found pride in America ??

    Posted by threedee at 03/26/2008 @ 1:43pm

29. Posted by MASK 03/26/2008 @ 1:30pm | ignore this person

    it kind of reminds me of when i was an adolescent and used a little "puffery" to make myself look cool and experienced...

    hmmm...who do you want answering that phone at 3:00 AM?

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 03/26/2008 @ 1:45pm

30. "The school's mascot is a bulldog, so the hyper-controlling campaign probably should have expected that the last question for Miss Chelsea would be about whether her mother's credibility had been, er, damaged by her response to dad's dalliance."

    "Wow, you're the first person actually that's ever asked me that question in the, I don't know maybe, 70 college campuses I've now been to, and..." then she paused for dramatic effect before concluding, "I do not think that is any of your business."

    Except that whether Hillary Clinton damaged her credibility during that time is everybody's business, isn't it?

    If this is the best Chelsea's got, (0 fopr 1)she should stay at home. But then, her parents batting percentages aren't any better.

    Posted by brantl at 03/26/2008 @ 2:00pm

31. Where did I write that HRC was a competent manager?....---Posted by EULER 03/26/2008 @ 1:35pm

    I'm not looking for a symbol, just an effective manager, nothing more!).----Posted by EULER 03/26/2008 @ 12:41pm

    I'm sorry. So Hillary is "effective", but not "competent"?!!?!?!?

    Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 2:11pm

32. John Nichols

    Chelsa surely is not a kid anymore, however, she is not running for office nor is she a KEY adviser or likley to play an official role in an Hillary adminsitration. So why SHOULD she have to answer journalists questions??? She is her daughter nothing more, or is there a more nefarious reason for her to put into the journalistic firing line? What other utility could gained by questioning Chelsea??????

    Not that i would dare question your higly sophisticated liberal ethics.......well...yes i would.

    Posted by CPT at 03/26/2008 @ 2:11pm

33. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 03/26/2008 @ 1:45pm

    He claims not to be, but doesn't "I don't care if she lies, as long as she's an effective (or competent) manager"....

    sound a LOT like something FRANKGRITS would say as a defense of "Countess Bathory"???

    Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 2:12pm

34. Posted by MASK 03/26/2008 @ 2:12pm | ignore this person

    heehee - sort of reminds me of the SNL character - the creepy woman who plays with her hair and has to one up everyone with ever more outrageous claims...lol...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 03/26/2008 @ 2:32pm

35. Posted by MASK 03/26/2008 @ 2:12pm

    Oh stop. It's not FRANK. You know he never lies.

    Posted by k330k at 03/26/2008 @ 2:37pm

36. Chelsea is hot and loaded!! What is she into these days? Hedge funds, right? Good for her! It makes me wish I did something with my life.

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 2:38pm

37. Posted by PIOUSVIRUS 03/26/2008 @ 2:38pm | ignore this person

    yeah - get a masters in international studies and get a 6 figger salary right out of college!!!! chelsea did!!!

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 03/26/2008 @ 2:40pm

38. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 03/26/2008 @ 2:40pm | ignore this person

    It's way too late my honky friend. I spent three years at UCONN and two years at Berklee and still no degree. Great! I am now very depressed and listening to Joy Division... Good bye, cruel world.

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 2:44pm

39. hmmm...who do you want answering that phone at 3:00 AM?

    Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE

    NO president is ever going to answer a call at 3 am. I believe they have a secretary for that. I remember when I was in college and after a little ummm a lot of drinking my buddies and I decided to call the White House at.... 3AM. THE PRESIDENT DIDN"T ANSWER. We were extremely disappointed. We asked the secretary if we could speak to the President but he was sleeping. we hung up and tried again. This time the secretary was annoyed and told us she could send some secret service agents to our house at .... she then told us our address. We haven't called back since.

    Posted by abell12ct at 03/26/2008 @ 2:47pm

40. Chelsea is hot and loaded!! What is she into these days? Hedge funds, right? Good for her! It makes me wish I did something with my life.

    Posted by PIOUSVIRUS

    With Bill Clinton as her father, I'm sure an internet sex video is in the offing soon.

    Posted by abell12ct at 03/26/2008 @ 2:48pm

41. I have a Hard Question for Chelsea; "Will you Monica Me?" If her mother and father continue to Pimp Her Out; I find this a valid question and request. Although I will have to pretend it is Julia Roberts...,Giselle.., Pam.,.....I need a Paper Bag...

    Posted by StoneMan at 03/26/2008 @ 2:50pm

42. I suppose the old axiom is accurate. The more miserable you are, the more of a liberal you are.

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 2:58pm

43. Posted by STONEMAN 03/26/2008 @ 2:50pm

    That's fucked up. Funny as hell but fucked up.

    Posted by k330k at 03/26/2008 @ 2:58pm

44. Posted by EULER 03/26/2008 @ 2:59pm | ignore this person

    A "vein" effort sounds sort of phallic, did you mean "vain"? Oh! I forgot we were talking about the Clintons.

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 3:02pm

45. Hard to differentiate between Clinton haters these days. Posted by EULER

    You should use a grammar checker. It should be "It's hard to differentiate between Clinton haters and (put somebody here) these days.

    Posted by abell12ct at 03/26/2008 @ 3:04pm

46. Pick up those knuckles Euler

    Posted by abell12ct at 03/26/2008 @ 3:04pm

47. My GOD! I am having a spiritual crisis at this very moment!

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 3:06pm

48. By the way idiots, differentiate means to distinguish. Should I define that. I can hear the hairy knuckles tapping the keyboard in a vein effort to come up with a response (I won't say a witty one).

    Posted by EULER 03/26/2008 @ 2:59pm | ignore this person

    Unless someone's mainlining his/her keyboard, it's spelled "vain". If you're going to play the attack game, you'd best spell your pathetic insults correctly.

    Posted by jmusolino at 03/26/2008 @ 3:07pm

49. I AM CLINTON!! AS OVERLORD ALL WILL KNEEL BEFORE ME AND OBEY MY FRUITFUL COMMAND!!

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 3:11pm

50. You know something? I kind of like Hillary's pantsuit. I am sooo lonely.

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 3:15pm

51. You know something? I kind of like Hillary's pantsuit. I am sooo lonely.

    Posted by PIOUSVIRUS

    counseling PIOUS counseling.

    Posted by abell12ct at 03/26/2008 @ 3:19pm

52. I have no health insurance. I don't deserve happiness.

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 3:22pm

53. Barack Obama -- 18 March 2008: '... Rev. Wright. As imperfect as he may be, he has been like family to me. He strengthened my faith, officiated my wedding, and baptized my children. ...Not once in my conversations with him have I heard him talk about any ethnic group in derogatory terms.'

    Hilary Clinton -- 17 March 2008: 'I remember landing under sniper fire ... running with our heads down to our vehicles.'

    Posted by HonestLiberal at 03/26/2008 @ 3:26pm

54. I have resigned to a life of abject indentured servitude. I am being assimilated and I am happy.

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 3:30pm

55. Cancel my subscription!!! Tear up some water and boil some sheets!!! I will now only read The Weekly Standard.

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 3:31pm

56. resistance is futile

    Posted by abell12ct at 03/26/2008 @ 3:37pm

57. Hey! Does anyone know what happened to Charlie Rose? He's got a gaping hole in his head and a black eye. Did someone finally do God's work?

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 3:52pm

58. Well, that's not fair... I suddenly feel like Burgess Meredith in that edisode of the Twilight Zone.

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 4:03pm

59. He also enjoyed getting hammered and beating his wife.

    Posted by PiousVirus at 03/26/2008 @ 4:10pm

60. I am being assimilated and I am happy.

    Posted by PIOUSVIRUS 03/26/2008 @ 3:30pm

    Uh....aren't the Borg led by a.....QUEEN?

    (Mind you, HRC is no Alice Krige!...heheh)

    Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 4:48pm

61. Posted by PIOUSVIRUS 03/26/2008 @ 2:44pm | ignore this person

    mope rock.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfwm2qKPDZg&feature=related

    Posted by emile duBois at 03/26/2008 @ 4:54pm

62. Her response doesn't mean that she has grown up and is an adult (although I am not say she is not an adult) What it means is that she remembered her prepared response.

    Posted by graphicdav at 03/26/2008 @ 5:16pm

63. you want something completely depressing?

    check Nico, of Velvet Underground fame, singing "My Funny Valentine"

    Posted by emile duBois at 03/26/2008 @ 6:27pm

64. Posted by MASK 03/26/2008 @ 4:48pm I thought Data took her out.

    Posted by Benchrest at 03/26/2008 @ 6:53pm

65. Hey, dumbass who wrote this. Double-check your shit (or read the damn AP article again) and you'll see this was at Butler University, not Butler College.

    You're as stupid as the kid who asked the question.

    Posted by aercires at 03/26/2008 @ 6:57pm

66. Hey, dumbass

    you're really deep, man

    Posted by emile duBois at 03/26/2008 @ 7:09pm

67. Posted by BENCHREST 03/26/2008 @ 6:53pm |

    That's "Lt. Commander HUSSEIN Data", to you, pal! Noted drug-dealing, probably Muslim, hung out with Klingons, inexperienced android!!!!

    Posted by Mask at 03/26/2008 @ 7:23pm

68. I stand corrected.

    Posted by Benchrest at 03/26/2008 @ 7:26pm

69. and..AND was proven to have intimate relations with one COUSELOR Troy, a KNOWN liberal and pacifist! DAAMMNN HIMMMM!

    Posted by Benchrest at 03/26/2008 @ 8:16pm

70. Re: JMusolino - "his/her" and "you'd" went out of use decades ago, as did old-style liberalism. Not an insult, just the obvious. Perhaps you can give me the answer I so pine for, can you please list some of Obama's accomplishments (outside of his affirmative-action acceptance to Harvard)?

    Posted by EULER 03/26/2008 @ 4:02pm | ignore this person

    Really? Since when? And "old-style liberalism" is out? Seems to me that it's liberalism that gave you the middle class, and conservatism/radical reactionism that have fought the middle class for decades. Liberalism gave you child labor laws and a 40-hour work week, along with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the idea of education for all. Liberalism has been attuned to basic human rights, where conservatism sees corporations as greater than people. Now, those of you on the right have demonized the term "liberal" to enough of the unthinking in America. But the basic liberal ideas of human rights, equality, and decency remain the best of ideas, and there's nothing on your side that can remotely compete. You've got corporate rights, social darwinism, and war.

    As for Obama's alleged Harvard affirmative action, care to back that up with some hard facts? Accomplishments? Health care and ethics legislation while an Illinois State Senator (Hillary was being the wife of a president, or a relatively ineffectual rookie US Senator at the time). But a greater accomplishment - Barack had the judgment to see that Bush and his cabal were lying about Iraq, while Hillary, who should have known better for all of her vaunted "experience" could not. Hillary helped give you this war. Barack opposed it. Barack opposed the bankruptcy bill. Hillary supported it. But the principal accomplishment to this point is, like it or not, Barack has given a lot of people something they've been missing for a long time - hope. Hillary trashes him for that. That is stunning to me. I remember Bobby Kennedy, and the hope he gave all of us 40 years ago. It was amazing. I remember the hope I had eight years earlier, as a 9-year old, in Jack Kennedy. Hillary has run as the candidate of despair. Nothing else can be said of someone who runs the campaign she has run. America certainly needs more than hope, and it probably needs more than miracles at this point, with the damage done by Bush and his supporters. But hope is a decent place to start. To give that to anyone in this country at this time is one major accomplishment. Hillary can't do that. And it infuriates her, as it does you.

    Posted by jmusolino at 03/26/2008 @ 10:34pm

71. Let's see beside you obvious stupid remark, Clinton not bush is allowed to lie by you! Clinton started a war in Bosnia, Clinton killed Americans ON AMERICAN SOIL in Texas, Clinton commited perjury..... Yea, you are stupidly bias!

    Posted by RIO BRAVO 03/26/2008 @ 10:24pm | ignore this person

    David Koresh killed Americans in Texas. The fires were started by the Davidians, not by the tear gas that was used. Clinton should have refused to answer any questions about his private life to any prosecutor. You should as well. Every human being should. Your man Bush, on the other hand, has lied over a million human beings to their deaths. You support that from the safety of your home. Chelsea Clinton gave the answer that her father should have given 10 years ago. She obviously has more smarts than either of her parents. And orders of magnitude more smarts than anyone still supporting Bush.

    Posted by jmusolino at 03/26/2008 @ 10:40pm

72. McCain and Hillary's message of hope: 4 MORE YEARS

    All politicians deal in hope. Bush's old saw: democracy in Iraq, hearts and minds

    Enjoyed reading your post JMUSOLINO

    Posted by winyahn at 03/26/2008 @ 11:42pm

73. I guess Chelsea handled the question about her mom's endorsement of her father's scumminess with a mature aplomb. I guess this indicates she is a poised, mature, adult who can think on her feet. A good thinker, yes. A skilled performer. Does that make her the most competent Clinton? I think her performance with the QUESTION reveals that she is competent in the Clintonista worldview, which does not, in my mind, make her any more competent, to, um, represent citizens in a representative democracy. I think she is a brilliant young woman and she has been mentored her entire life by two brilliant parents: mentored in the politics of anything-for-power. That's not the kind of competence I want to see in any elected representative.

    She's a Stepford Clintonista. That's not competence to me.

    In a different direction, I'd also like to say that I understood carving out a bubble of protection for Chelsea when she actually was a child but it seems way creepy to me that she is 28 and she likes to still get treated like something less than grown-up. Some comments say she is the most competent Clinton? Euww! Icky! Creepy.

    Why would a brilliant 28-year-old want to be SOMETIMES treated like a child? . . . because, like her folks, she will do anything for power. If acting like a half-adult will help the family dynasty grab power, she'll do it. She's just like her mom. Hillary would choke down Bill murdering hookers, she'd cover up anything, if it was going to get her the power she wants. That was the point of the question to Chelsea, wasn't it? Isn't it, like, way creepy that someone who wants to be president is willing to put up with anything?

    Chelsea is her mother's daughter and her father's daughter. I wonder what political office will be her first? Does anyone think she won't be running for prez someday?

    Sorry to drone on. The Stepford Clinton Chelsea creeps me, personifies what creeps me about Bilary.

    Posted by TreeFitz at 03/27/2008 @ 12:10am

74. I think their protectiveness toward Chelsea Clinton is almost the only attractive quality of Bill and Hilary. They seem to have tried to raise an okay human being in defiance of the pressures of their own corrupt lives.

    Frankly, I hope she can keep out of politics, and remain a "numbers dork" as she describes herself till the day she passes on. In case Wall Street melts down, she is aware, I hope, that there are other places to be a numbers dork.

    I think it is the only redeeming quality I know of about the Clintons that they determinedly raised their daughter to be a normal, decent, intelligent human being.

    Keeping Chelsea away from the press is keeping her from being a celebrity. Who is she seeing, who is she dating, with whom is she engaging in PDA at what night spot? Chelsea is 28, so by now she probably has a sex life. Does the world need to know. No. And what else does the media care about.

    My great hope is that she will manage to stay out of politics, for which she may have an almost inherited talent (more from pater than from mater, I would say).

    Back when the right wing was claiming she was ugly as part of Clinton-phobic organizing, I always recognized that she was as cute as a bugs ear.

    Bill and Hilary, keep the media away from Chelsea. Do one useful thing with your wasted lives. Fred Feldman

    Posted by ffeldman at 03/27/2008 @ 07:06am

75. Hillary would choke down Bill murdering hookers, she'd cover up anything, if it was going to get her the power she wants.

    you are completely out of your mind. get a grip. or get lost.

    Posted by emile duBois at 03/27/2008 @ 10:23am

76. Thus the "pimping" characterization since the *child* is afforded protection from scrutiny. For example--check it out:

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15549672/

    Posted by Lil at 03/27/2008 @ 10:51am

77. 2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll
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    Posted by votenic at 03/27/2008 @ 11:50am

78. 2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll

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    Last Week's Results Just Posted!

    New Video "America The Beautiful" Piano.

    Vote Weekly!!!

    Posted by votenic at 03/27/2008 @ 12:41pm