Chelsea Clinton dismisses Lewinsky question
(CNN) - Chelsea Clinton has fielded a lot of questions as she campaigns for her mother's presidential bid, but on Tuesday the former first daughter faced a particularly awkward query for the first time.
Campaigning at Butler University in Indianapolis, an audience member asked the 28 year-old whether the Monica Lewinsky scandal had damaged her mother's reputation.
"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," Clinton responded, appearing a bit surprised by the question. The crowd immediately cheered loudly at the response.
It was supposed to be the last question of the event, but Chelsea Clinton decided to take one more, saying, "I don't think that should be the last question."
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.
- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Sounds like a fair question seeing as how her mother answered the question about Obama's pastor.
As an African-American, I find your reporting on the Clinton/Obama campaigns patently unfair in favor of Obama. In fact, you have become so biased in your reporting, you actually make FOX news look liberal and Rush Limbaugh look normal.
Good for her!! But, I'm sure that won't do anything for the press opinion of the Clinton's. Just how will this be spun but Obama's "base", the press?
What a dignified response to a ridiculous question!
Chelsea is a well-spoken, highly intelligent and grounded.
Her parents have done a great job.
ok
Good for you Chelsea you handled it beautifully and I agree with you its nobodys business. Good job!!!
It's Butler University.
What a smart young lady!!!!
hiliary and chelsea both had random "questions" asked to them about hot topics or what i call diversion topics since she had her bosnia blunder and nafta meetings come out. i have to give it to her she is a good politician but a better liar...
Give me a break!
This 28 year old, Ivy League-educated, Wall Street working woman is not a little girl any more.
She is also not the humble, star-struck child that had the media spotlight cast upon her, unwillingly, all those years ago.
This grown woman is actively campaigning for a Presidential candidate. (This isn't a "Come Meet Chelsea - Wall Street Insider" speech; it's a "Come Meet Chelsea - Vote for her Mom" event. Hillary Clinton is the topic of the conversation - of course you are going to be asked questions about your mom). Chelsea wants to pose under the "Vote Hilary" signs, talk about how great her parents are, and convince you to vote for her mother in November. She, however, acts agasped if any of the questions are remotely awkward - or paint her mother in a bad light.
Please, Chelsean, save us the "deer in the headlights" routine of "fake surprise" and answer the - very legitimate - question. (Your parents are so much better playing the victim than you are).
I BELIEVE THE QUESTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN ASKED IN A DIFFERENT WAY, WOULD YOU HAVE DONE AS YOUR MOTHER DID? OR WOULD YOU HAVE ASKED HIM TO LEAVE AFTER HAVING SO MANY EXTRA AFFAIRS .
Hillary is throw trash everywhere. Why can other gid her trash a little bit?
If Hillary and Bill are spreading rumors, it's fair for other people to talk some facts. If Cheelsea supports her mother so much, she must be like her mother. Hillary has shown us recently she is a dirty lier.
Hmmm, although I think this is a very touch subject the question could have been answered. The question wasn't about Monica Lewinsky it was about the scandal and the effects of that scandal on her reputation. Many women I've spoken with about Hillary Clinton cite her husband's cheating as a reason they won't vote for her. I think that's unfair. I'm not a Hillary supporter but I think her marriage to Bill, the Lewinsky scandal, and his wandering eye should be off limits in the presidential debate.
In all honesty, these questions are absurd. Can we get back to the issues and just get over any personal matters (Wright, Lewinski, Rezco the list goes on) Please just move toward a path to unite the party and not face a 3rd term in office by Bush. I am an obama supporter but disagree with negative campaigning from both sides of the spectrum and believe that we should vote democrat to save the party and save the nation in November.
It's a valid question becuase Clinton embarrased the party, the country, himself and his family. They shamed us. She got into office and then voted to send 4000 men and women to their early deaths. The war has not made us safer becuase we did not attack those who attacked us.
Good for you Chelse.
An Obama Supporter
I think that it is funny that this keeps coming up in relation to Hillary's candidacy. It seems to me that it is always printed in a story that rings negative but, to look at it from a morality view Hillary should be commended. It took a lot of guts and strength to stand behind someone who publicly humiliated you. I think Chelsea's response may have been a little blunt but this is a part of the past that truly needs to stay there. It is totally irrelevant to this election.
I'm not a Clinton supporter, but good for her. That stuff is so old, but believe me, should she win the nomination, you know the Republican's are going to bring it up.
Well it was an honest question personal or not. Heck, I don't see why Hillary would stay with a man that lied and cheated except for politcal gain. You cant choose your parents but you can choose your spouse.
This seems normal for Chelsea though as I can understand the no reporters but geez not answering a 9 yr old who was a reporter for a school paper is going overboard. I would be excited that the young children who can not yet vote are even getting involved in politics. That just shows we have smart children out there.
Obama 08
SENATOR CLINTON IS LEADING IN THE POLLS!!!!!!
THAT IS WHY THE ATTACK MACHINE IS ON FULL SPEED!!!!!!
OBAMA'S CAMP HAS STARTED ALL THESE RUMORS FROM THE BEGINNING!!!!!
WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE REAL QUESTION OF: WHO CAN BEST LEAD THIS COUNTRY!!!!
HILLARY HAS A STIMULUS PACKAGE OUT AND IS TRYING TO GET HELP FOR THE PEOPLE IN FORCLOSURE ETC..
WHAT IS OBAMA DOING?
SPREADING RUMORS!!!!!!!
GO HILLARY WE ARE WITH YOU!!!!!!!!
good for you Chelsea...it's a mute point and none of our business....
Good luck....
Cheers!
klb
like mother like daughter – answer the question chelsea!
I'm an ardent Obama supporter, but that is a disgusting question to ask anyone involved in such a scandal. This really shows how low we, as a society, have sunk.
Well done, Chelsea.
None of her business. Really?