March 28, 2008
Posted: March 28th, 2008 08:05 PM ET
Chelsea Clinton says she thinks her mom would be the better president.
Chelsea Clinton says she thinks her mom would be the better president.

(CNN) - It's a topic that would likely make for awkward conversation at a Clinton family dinner: Who would be the better president, Bill or Hillary?

But daughter Chelsea Clinton made her position on the matter clear Friday, saying unequivocally that she thinks her mom will make a better president than her dad.

"I don't take anything for granted, but hopefully with Pennsylvania's help, she will be our next president, and yes, I do think she'll be a better president," the former first daughter said during a campaign event in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

She did not elaborate on just why she thinks her mom would be the better commander-in-chief, but the former president himself made similar statements to an Israeli TV interviewer last November.

Bill Clinton said then he thought his wife would make the better president because she is more experienced than he was in 1992.

"In some ways she would be (better) because of what we did together," he said then. "First, she has the Senate experience I didn't have. Second, she would have had the eight years in the White House."

"I think she wouldn't make as many mistakes because, you know, we're older and more mature, and she is far more experienced now in all the relevant ways than I was when I took office," he added. "So I think in a way she has the best of both worlds."

No word on where Hillary herself comes down on the issue.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: Chelsea Clinton


allen   March 28th, 2008 11:55 pm ET

Hillary =Huckabee part duex.

Polkovnik   March 28th, 2008 11:55 pm ET

What a crock. Bill did it. Hillary watched.
I feel sorry for Bill at such disloyalty from his daughter. Inexcusable.
Dave

Bob Baker   March 28th, 2008 11:45 pm ET

What else was chelsa going to say to that question!? Lets be real Hillary is a liar just like Bill. Much respect to Bill though

Lin   March 28th, 2008 11:42 pm ET

Hillary has much more experience than Obama. It is very scary that someone with his lack of experience and judgement could be put into office by voters that are "wishing" and "hoping" that all of the issues that need to be dealt with in this country will be "overcome" if Obama says so. Very unrealistic people!! The fun and games are over....let's get real!!

Sue   March 28th, 2008 11:41 pm ET

We could all take bets to see if Hillary would get impeached in a shorter time than it too Bill.

james   March 28th, 2008 11:31 pm ET

because of you Obama nuts, John McCain (Bush wannabe) is gonna win and this country will sink even more into the abiss......it will be all on you...no matter what bill did this country was run the way it should be run. just get your sons and husbands ready to fight McCain's wars cause thats where we are headed.

charlee   March 28th, 2008 11:31 pm ET

As a Hilary support, I am glad to see Chelsea express her confidence in her mother. She has her own reason why she believes she will be better than Bill and that's none of our business should she choose not to say. As for the comments regard ML, get past it, what happened happened and that's it. In addition, regardless is Hillary wins or not, I would like to see her go till the very end, she is no quitter nor is she the one who is causing problems with the Democratic Party. Isn't this Democracy, is that what America stands for, well then quit trying to take her right away. I'm sure that Mr. Obama would want to press on would he have been in the same situation and I'm sure his supporters would feel the same.

Marc Gendron   March 28th, 2008 11:30 pm ET

I agree that Chelsea's mom would be a better President than Bill or Obama.

Hil has aways been the brain behind Bill's presidency.

As for Obama, I think Leahy, Casey, Richardson should just shut up and let this process play out. What is the rush?

Hillary in '08

GO HIL!!!!

d.c.lacy   March 28th, 2008 11:30 pm ET

In this e-mail you failed to mention who Chelsea Clinton was referring too. Please provide the entire Q&A forum for this topic so we can verify she is saying her mom would make a better president than her dad, and not than Obama.
I am a Republican supporter, but hate to see political analysts (no matter their affilitation) print only the text that supports their beliefs. I honestly believe Chelsea Clinton would not support one parent over the other and find it hard to believe she is not speaking of Obama when referring to Pennsylvania.
– dclacy in Honolulu

aware   March 28th, 2008 11:30 pm ET

I agree Chelsea with you and your dad!

Hillary 08 or McCain! :)

Obama has a lopsided view of race and of America! He has nothing to teach but a lot to learn! His story just keeps changing....

He is not electable!

Patrick, Chicago, IL   March 28th, 2008 11:16 pm ET

I didn't know Chelsea could see the future. Maybe we should elect her.

Lynne   March 28th, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Hillary still has a big fighting chance......I'd rather have someone in there that I know loves this country, each and everyone of us , all races ,and loves the democratic process, without a fettish for Marxism.

GO HILL!!

Jim Moore   March 28th, 2008 10:51 pm ET

Pathetic just quit Hillbilly just quit!!!!!

Ls   March 28th, 2008 10:49 pm ET

Vote your mom mean vote vote G.bush female, READY ON DAY1 TO LIE

Gregory H. Brooklyn New York   March 28th, 2008 10:44 pm ET

Good!! Maybe we'll see that in 8 years.

Antonio Blackmon   March 28th, 2008 10:41 pm ET

Clinton and Dr. Kovorkian in the same year, touche`.

john   March 28th, 2008 10:33 pm ET

Heh. Depends on the form it takes, I guess.

Petra   March 28th, 2008 10:28 pm ET

What else do we expect to come out of the mouth of a Clinton?

It is which every Clinton is standing for office is better than the previous...

Chelsea would probably be better than her mother in some years to come after we create the "presidential family"

Leila   March 28th, 2008 10:28 pm ET

She will sure be a better president than Barack Obama!!!
NO = Not Obama!!!

TOTALLY DESPERATE ! !   March 28th, 2008 10:24 pm ET

JESUS ARE THE CLINTONS SO DESPERATE THEY'RE MAKING THESE STATEMENTS ??

I GUESS IF BARBARA BUSH RUNS FOR THE SENATE NEXT YEAR SHE SHOULD BE READY TO RUN FOR THE PRESIDENCY 8 YEARS FROM NOW . . . GIVE ME A BREAK

HILLARY QUIT NOW !!!!!!! OBAMA '08

AJ   March 28th, 2008 9:35 pm ET

What is Hillary Clinton's experience, really? She's been an elected official fewer years than Barack Obama.

If she was so experienced, why didn't she run in 2000? Because everyone knew that being a the past First Lady didn't qualify as legitimate experience. So she became a senator instead. All along, Barack Obama was working his way up the ranks from the Illinois Senate to the U.S. Senate.

Billy Bluxton   March 28th, 2008 9:35 pm ET

1+1=2. Do the math. Obama=Our President.

Democrat in CA   March 28th, 2008 9:35 pm ET

If Obama gets nominated, I will vote for McCain

Susan   March 28th, 2008 9:34 pm ET

Don't underestimate women.

George Newell   March 28th, 2008 9:34 pm ET

She might make a better president than Bill but Barack will be better than either.

Belle   March 28th, 2008 9:31 pm ET

I have to say something to OBAMA backers calling for Hillary to QUIT.

Hillary DID NOT ASK OBAMA TO QUIT after Super Tuesday....did she?

There are 10 Primaries Left.

HILLARY 08 YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brian   March 28th, 2008 9:18 pm ET

I'm sold a 20 something year old daughter who wont take any questions from the press says her mommy will do better than her daddy!

Great News!

Claire   March 28th, 2008 9:14 pm ET

Frank good question and who is the better one to make up stories.Can't wait to see what story she will come up with next and how many more lies .The Clinton's think they r better then anyone period..That is the attitude they have and they don't like to loose period .Hillary is very sneaky and foany and Bill well another story...

David, Silver Spring MD   March 28th, 2008 8:32 pm ET

May Chelsea's claim forever remain an untested hypothesis.

FrankSmith   March 28th, 2008 6:55 pm ET

I would be afraid to see Hillary as nominee, let alone president (small "p") of this great nation. Talk about division; you will get more of this in the nation, the senate, and even congress if Hillary steals the nomination.

The question would have been: who is the better lier, Bill or Hillary?

Kyle   March 28th, 2008 6:55 pm ET

I think it will be great to have President Obama and First Lady Michelle in the White House.

thomas   March 28th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

of course she's going to say that hillary rodham clinton (wait, i haven't heard the rodham in a long time) will be the better president. do you think it would be smart to say that her dad, who isn't running for president, is the better of the two? that would be stupid. it's just a posturing attempt to make hillary sound better than she really is.

Jenny, TX   March 28th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

We are totally agree with you Chelsea. We only vote for the best candidate.

BERNIE MINGS   March 28th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

WHAT IS HILLARY SUPPOSED TO DO?...ROLL OVER, PLAY DEAD.
PEOPLE ARE FALLING FOR THAT OBAMA BAIT. OBAMA IS STILL WET BEHIND THE EARS. WHAT HAS OBAMA DONE FOR AMERICA, NOTHING. REMEMBER, HITLER GAVE A GREAT SPEECH. I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT. WHY ARE PEOPLE AND THE NEWS MEDIA SO OBSESSED WITH TRYING TO DESTROY HILLARY? LET THE PROCESS CONTINUE, PEOPLE DO COUNT.
IT'S NOT OVER UNTIL THE LADY SINGS, GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Ray Ito   March 28th, 2008 6:34 pm ET

If Chelsea was the 'first daughter" during Bill Clinton's presidency, if her her mother wins (which is unlikely), then she can be referred to as the 'super-dupper first daughter.'

Bill Clinton said Hillary won't make mistakes like him because of her 'experience'. Well, she made the BIG mistake about the Iraq war, she just made the mistake ("misspoke") about sniper bullets in Bosnia where they had to duck their heads (actually, she walked straight as a pole), made a mistake about NAFTA,...etc.

The truth is, Hillary would only be a mouthpiece for Bill because he craves the White House again so bad.

Noble Seattle, WA   March 28th, 2008 6:20 pm ET

American presidency a family business?

Jersey_Blues   March 28th, 2008 6:17 pm ET

Hillarry Go home.

Jim   March 28th, 2008 6:05 pm ET

If Bill was running again, he'd have Obama beat by now. Obama is no match for Bill's oratory.

Sherri   March 28th, 2008 6:04 pm ET

Be careful when you question the golden child however on why...She might just tell you it's none of your business....

Iowa   March 28th, 2008 6:04 pm ET

Dear Chelsea

I happen to think your Mom And Dad are cut from the same fabric. They don't know the differance between mispoke and an out right
lie. If it is a regular lie or a white house lie it is still a lie. Vote for Honesty the next time around.
Thank You!

SexyMe   March 28th, 2008 6:04 pm ET

Not knocking Willy because he was great in office but a liar and a backstabber like Hillary is going to spell T R O U B L E. He is just as scare of Hillary.

Darth Vadik, CA   March 28th, 2008 6:03 pm ET

I guess we'll never know.

Steve   March 28th, 2008 6:03 pm ET

Actually, my guess is that she'd be pretty much the same. Extremely intelligent and capable, but too willing to compromise principles and too inclined to do things the old-fashioned way. And, of course, a little fuzzy on the ethics.

And this is why I support Obama. (Although I will vote for Hillary if she gets the nod, and I must say that I'm stunned at the amount of people who will make a "sour grapes" vote for McCain, thereby ruining the country for another four years.)

Mike Indiana   March 28th, 2008 6:02 pm ET

Yeah Hillary , This guy is right . I would vote for you and John Edwards. Good pick , Brad from Chicago, Hillary is the only one left in this race to save this country , and note that the Obama supporters continue to press the Dem. party and the super- delegates to throw this race for Obama is totally absurd. With John on her ticket this would be ah-sum . Vote Hillary 08

Brandon   March 28th, 2008 6:01 pm ET

Are the Clinton's dumb? Hilliary can't win the nomination with just Pennsylvania under her belt. This tactic about just worrying about the big states and to hell with the rest is stupid. I hope the people of Pennsylvania have some sort of sense left.

lynn   March 28th, 2008 6:01 pm ET

Absolutely...

And that is saying something...Bill was a great president....
left our economy in great shape......DID HIS JOB WELL

Hillary is the amswer to our problems

Hillary can do it.....wake up voters...

Norm   March 28th, 2008 6:01 pm ET

I think the country couldn't get a better combination to take over the whitehouse..............Hillary08!

Michael   March 28th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

Neither were any good for America.

S from Canada   March 28th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

What a dumb question – I can't believe anyone even asked Chelsea Clinton that – what do you think she is going to say – Gee, no my Mom will not be as good a President as my Dad.
I am starting to wonder about the media's mentality when this even gets news coverage.

Robert - Illinois   March 28th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

Give....me....a......break.

OBAMA 08

Lisa   March 28th, 2008 5:58 pm ET

yeah, yeah, yeah right... If I guess if Bill was running and Hillary had been a former President... " Dad would make a better President than mom".... nice try Chelsea... but your i" mom" is a bold face liar that cannot be trusted!!!!!

Sal in Phoenix   March 28th, 2008 5:58 pm ET

I also think Hillary will be a better president than Bill..I believe she has been the real brains behind him in his political career.

Hillary   March 28th, 2008 5:58 pm ET

She's right! Mom can dodge sniper fire.

ben   March 28th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

When does Chelsea plan on running for president?

Ric   March 28th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

I have to give Chelsea some credit. She grew up in front of the world. She hasn't had much privacy, and now she's campaigning on a HUGE stage.

DB   March 28th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

Is that a hard thing. Next up SO AND SO will be a better president than Bush.

Jay Basgall   March 28th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

Even if Hillary is only "just as good" as Bill was at being president, Americans would be better off. The eight years of the first Clinton presidency allowed the majority of Americans to prosper and grow.

Mary Mary   March 28th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

Dear Chelsea
Just what would that prove??

Lissa   March 28th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

It wouldn't take much...

Ann   March 28th, 2008 5:54 pm ET

Yes, she will be definitely better. However, Hillary is running against the BEST. VOTE FOR THE BEST CANDIDATE. VOTE FOR BARACK!

Jonathan Swift   March 28th, 2008 5:53 pm ET

At least she didn't say that Dad was just an average white guy with a problem in self-restraint, but nonetheless that is pretty cold to have no problem in comparing your parents that way. Actually, Hillary is pretty much Bill without the charm

Ex-Hillary supporter   March 28th, 2008 5:53 pm ET

Well, we know Hillary "misspeaks" as well Bill does.
Seriously though, this country deserves a break from the Bush and Clinton families and their style of politicking. They are stale.
It is time for a candidate with a fresh, less partisan approach, the potential to do good things for this country and improve our image overseas.
Which is why, along with many others, I have transferred my support from the Clintons to Barack Obama and his campaign.

Texas4Obama   March 28th, 2008 5:48 pm ET

Obama will be the best president.

Amused, Las Vegas   March 28th, 2008 5:43 pm ET

Bill was the best president in my lifetime. I hope that we get to see what Hillary can do.

Unity   March 28th, 2008 5:43 pm ET

So it was okay for Bill Clinton to be president despite being younger, unexperienced and less mature and prone to mistakes.

But it's not okay for Barack Obama?

Hillary Clinton made a horrible mistake when she voted for the Bush/Cheney war in Iraq- and she still doesn't have the maturity to admit her mistake.

Just Wondering   March 28th, 2008 5:42 pm ET

And.... ugh...this IS our business Chelsea?

Just checking...geesh...seems like we were having a little Hillary fit back there the other day.

Can I point out Chelsea that it might not take much for your mom to do better than your daddy...I mean he was so busy with "that woman"...no I didn't mention Monica...oops sorry darling. I sure didn't mean to say that...I've been up late these nights blogging, all that gunfire going off in my head too...I just misspoke. That should make thing better now shouldn't it sweetheart.

bk   March 28th, 2008 5:41 pm ET

She is going to win because no one will vote for Obama. They will vote Republican first.

Carol   March 28th, 2008 5:41 pm ET

I would bet that she says that only because she knows for sure that she is related to mother.

OlvrWhit   March 28th, 2008 5:40 pm ET

Hillary will be a great President.

She is not destroying the party, the party has plenty of issues that have nothing to do with Clinton, like disinfranchising millions of voters, fraudulent caucus practises, to name a few.

Now we have more hatred coming from Rev.Wright that of course Obama knows nothing about.....and top that with the Obama campaign inserting spies into the Clinton campaign, how can you trust this man...

Hillary needs to fight till then end..she will prevail because people will start to see the bag of lies the media and the Obama campaign has fed them and he will lose. Of course, then the Obama supporters can really hate Hillary more since they can never seem to discuss the issues of the race, preferring to hate, just like the Rev.

Brian   March 28th, 2008 5:40 pm ET

Yikes. That's an endorsement?

DT   March 28th, 2008 5:40 pm ET

If by "better" she means "more ruthless, aggressive, tenacious, and will stop at nothing to get the results she wants", then maybe that is correct.

Myself, well, I'd like to see more integrity, ethical behavior, and moral fiber in the Clinton campaign. But I'm not holding my breath on that one.

After further review,Texas   March 28th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

Smart kid.

Florida voter   March 28th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

Hehe, maybe Hillary would be a better. Itll be funny to imagine Bill as First MAN though. Vote Hillary 08!

Richard I   March 28th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

"Mum will be a better president than Dad"....just shows you how shallow the US Executive has gone. Presidencies rotated amongst families instead of merits. Case in point, GWB. Regardless, quite a dumb statement. In 20yrs time, Chelsea's kid will be saying Mom will be better than Grandma....yeah of course. I sure think Hillary can do better than Bill with respect to Monica.

clare   March 28th, 2008 5:35 pm ET

she probably reckons the Mom won't take the country through another impeachement process.................

Rom   March 28th, 2008 5:35 pm ET

"I don't take anything for granted, but hopefully with Pennsylvania's help, she will be our next president, and yes, I do think she'll be a better president," the former first daughter said during a campaign event in Allentown, Pennsylvania."

I THINK THE CLINTONS HAVE A SERIOUS MATH PROBLEM !!!
EVEN SHE WON PENNSYLVANIA BY A MARGIN OF 20 SHE COULDN'T CATCH UP NEITHER IN PLEDGE DELEGATES NOT IN POPULAR VOTES

wake up young lady your mom is DONE

Renee Osterwalder/Expat Winterthur Switzerland   March 28th, 2008 5:33 pm ET

Well I would hope so. I myself am a Obama supporter, but if I had to choose between Bill and Hill....I would definately take Hill, just because she seems to be more morally sound than Bill.

Grif   March 28th, 2008 5:33 pm ET

That's a close call..William was the best in my long lifetime.

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