Oct 17 - 46/45 - McCain +01
Chelsea's Tough Question
Unfortunately it was bound to happen: A student at Butler University asked Chelsea Clinton if the Monica Lewinsky scandal hurt her mother's reputation. She responded, "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 I do not think that is any of your business."
Good for Chelsea for making this kid look like an idiot for asking such a lame question. On the other hand, why did she act surprised? I thought for sure her handlers would have prepped her to anticipate this question at some point, especially on a college campus tour (you should hear some of the asinine, inappropriate questions my students ask me!).
I had the opportunity to plan and work two of Chelsea's events at UA and was very impressed by her poise and sincerity. I really admire what she is doing for her mom.
By Annie - 3/26/2008
8 Comments:
It is surprising that no one else has asked that trying to get their 15 min of fame
Actually, it wasn't an unfair question -- the unfair question would have been something along the lines of the impact the affair had on her parents' and her relationship.
But asking about how it has impacted her mother's reputation is a question a LOT of Democrats have -- and an issue that the Republicans will be bringing up if she is the nominee.
Maybe Chelsea wasn't the one who the question should have been asked to -- maybe it was a question that should have been asked to her mother, but the way it was phrased, it wasn't an unfair question at all.
I doubt seriously whether the person who asked her the question even cared what the answer would be.
It had to be so incredibly awkward to be in that room after the question was asked. I feel bad for Chelsea being put in that position by a classless question. I agree with Annie. I'm surprised this was the first time and I cannot believe she had not been prepped for it. I'd think that would be one of the first topics to cover.
Thats just uncouth
while the question was unnecessary, it was not phrased unfairly. chelsea came off poorly, in my eyes, appearing to belittle and shame the questioner while looking snobbish. i agree with anon, however that the question should have been aimed at hillary, not chelsea.
While I too was impressed by Chelsea's appearance at UA, this incident underscores an ugly aspect to her campaigning. The Clintons, Chelsea included, have been playing a cake-and-eat-it game with her appearances in which she acts as an appealing surrogate for friendlies, but when the press approaches she retreats into the privacy bubble she put on when she lived in the White House. Including, famously, refusing to answer the questions of a nine-year-old because he was a reporter for his elementary school newspaper.
As Anon noted above, the question is legitimate. And as a Democrat considering Hillary's electability, it damn well is my business. Frankly I think its my business to know how Hillary is going to keep Bill from interfering with matters of state and whether she stayed with him for purely political reasons. But we've all been shamed away from asking any questions that land anywhere in the vicinity of the Clinton marriage.
Anyone who thinks the Right Wing Noise Machine (the one Hillary claims to have defeated) will maintain a similar assured clear distance is delusional. Chelsea's answer indicates that Team Hillary hasn't the first clue how to respond to that attack.
Pho, Thank you for the enlightening.
I still think that that issue is uncouth...actually the whole degererated election process turns me off.
I respect your wish to discover all about the candidates - I just have no need to know many very personal items.
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