(CNN) - The college student who appeared to upset Chelsea Clinton with a question on the Monica Lewinsky scandal said Wednesday he was merely giving the former first daughter an opportunity to show how strong her mother is.
Evan Strange, a Butler University student, told CBS he is a supporter of Hillary Clinton, and meant no harm with his question about the infamous White House scandal.
"Surprisingly, I am a supporter of Hillary, I love Hillary. But when I talk to my friends, one of their constant questions to me is, 'What makes her such a strong leader?', and they always bring up that scandal," Strange said in an appearance on the CBS Early Show.
"It’s not something I asked to cause trouble, it was to show those people what makes Hillary so strong, and was an opportunity for Chelsea to show all the doubters how strong Hillary is," he added.
At an event on Butler's campus Tuesday afternoon, Strange asked if the scandal had damaged Hillary Clinton's reputation. (Watch Chelsea's reaction)
Chelsea Clinton appeared taken aback by the question, saying, "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."
The crowd immediately cheered loudly at Chelsea's response, but Strange said Wednesday he was surprised with the answer.
"I can see where she'd get a little defensive because of the question, and just hearing Lewinsky over and over again I can see why she'd react that way, but I would liked to have heard her say something about her record, or something like that, instead of just dismissing the question," he said.
Though she has faced the glare of public life since she was a girl, Chelsea Clinton has contended with renewed press coverage after taking on a more prominent role in her mother's campaign earlier this year.
The Monica Lewinsky scandal made a brief return to the news last week, when newly-released White House schedules indicated Hillary Clinton was likely in the White House during at least 6 reported instances of encounters between her husband and the former White House intern.
Related: Evan Strange says he was shocked by Chelsea's reponse
– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
From CNN Politics
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obama people know this hillary supporters will not support him in the ge. /he has lose already
Poor kid. He should have known better than to expect honesty and openness from a Clinton.
Obama supporters. This means WAR.
The Media and all the other Party's is Laughing and Talking about US-
- FIGHTING AND DIVIDING over OBAMA and HILLARY-
NEITHER is PERFECT...
Yet WE are acting like WE don't have GOOD SENSE
-- -THINK-THINK- DO YOU HATE each OTHER that much that you will allow MCcain/the Republican to WIN--
Do YOU hate the U.S. that much that You are willing to DESTROY the U.S.A. with 4 MORE YRS. with ANOTHER Bush
-- COME TOGETHER-and THINK-STOP letting the MEDIA PLAY US- IF we STOP POSTING COMMENTS about the OTHER–
They will STOP putting up Unnecessary TICKERS-
VOTE Democratic-NO MATTER WHAT-PROVE THEM WRONG
When you ask a dumb question......YOU GET BURNED!
If he was truly a Clinton Supporter he wouldn't of asked that question....good try Obama.
One thing is for sure....I bet he doesn't ask her that question again
Good for you, Chelsea....you did the right thing by not taking the bait!!
Hahahaha – just like a Clinton to turn on their OWN supporters. It looks SO good on them right now – the Clintons are imploding right before our eyes, and if from what I've heard...I do hope that the Superdelegates are preparing to step in and end this nightmare of a campaign that Hillary Clinton is running. After she wins Penn and Barack cleans up the next 4 primaries after that, shut 'er down and give him the nomination.
Why does staying with a man who cheated on you repeatedly make you a "strong" woman?
who cares?
Way to go Chelsea!!
HILLARY 08
Chelsea's comment yesterday proved a very big point for me. Regardless of whether someone is on the "Clinton side" or the "Obama side," the thing we Democrats need to realize is that Hillary may be "less likable" than Obama, but that could work to the Democratic party's advantage. Republicans have been digging up the dirt on Hillary for years and have pretty much drained the well dry. The question thrown at Chelsea yesterday wasn't anything new. It was old news. Very old news that no one cares about anymore which is why Chelsea's response got such a big applause. Obama's past is pretty much an unknown factor. When the Republicans start digging up the dirt on him, it will be new and attention getting. Just like the pastor controversy was for so many of your viewers. And it is that sort of "new" stuff that is likely to swing the independents to John McCain.
That incident showed just how weak she was. Hillary Clinton decided not to leave her husband after SEVERAL different affairs. The amazing thing is that the majority of women support this. Which leaves one to wonder, does the average woman think that cheating on them is acceptable. If they do I have some plans to make for the weekend.
Good for you Chelsea!
excuse me. The Clintons/Monica issue - shows a lack of conscience and sense of Shame on the Clintons. After the scandal and been impeached from the white house I wouldn't dare seek to return to the white house . I am glad the American people know the right thing to do.
..or perhaps she wanted the presidency so badly that she chose to stick around her less faithful husband through the scandal.
So now I`m guessing it is time to attack their daughter?How is this news?
Toronto,Canada
shut up chelsea.you are as bad as ur power hungry mother
I think Chelsea's reaction was overly dramatic. It was a credible question.
It was a legitimate question and if Chelsea is going to campaign for her mother she needs to man up and answer the tough questions.
Of course it's her choice to side step the tough questions. Just don't act surprised when Obama is running in the general election and her mother isn't.
Oh God, now this guy wants his 15 minutes of fame! First the Obama girl, the the Clinton add girl making add for Obama and now this! These fools are just crazy! We all need to pull to gether and either vote for McCain, which is looking stronger and stronger every day in many eyes, maybe he is the great uniter that Obama thought he was but is not!
Hillary or McCain 08
IT IS NOT STRENGHT AT ALL. THE CLINTONS HAVE NO SENSE OF SHAME. tHEY THINK THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ARE SO LOW TO VOTETHEM BACK TO THE WHITE HOUSE THEY HAD ABUSED IN THE PAST.
NO TACT WHATSOEVER.
She's just as arrogant as her mother. What do you expect, she's bred to be pompous.
I can see it already, she will be someday running for President, mark my words, and hopefully I'll still be alive to NOT vote for her.
She did not have to answer in that way, she should know that she has to be prepared to be asked just about anything.
Another instance that shows the arrogance of the Clinton family. Sarcasm and avoidance accomplish nothing.
yea way to go chelsea way to show a college kid who's boss just like your mother huh way to show america how strong she is........NOT!
OBAMA 08!
Chelsea strikes me to be an intelligent and such a lady. After reading the article I understand the reporter, however Chelsea did quite well with her response. All of us would be defensesive concerning our parents