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17:54 March 25th, 2008

Chelsea Clinton dismisses “Monica” question

Posted by: JoAnne Allen
Tags: Front Row Washington, , , ,

Campaigning for her mother, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton answers lots of questions from potential voters at campaign events but never from reporters.rtr1xusd.jpg

But in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Clinton brushed aside a question from an individual in the crowd who asked for her take on her mother’s handling of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, WISH-TV reported.

“Wow, you’re the first person actually that’s ever asked me that question in the, I don’t know, 70 college campuses that I’ve now been to and I do not think that’s any of your business,” Clinton responded according to the station.

The crowd at the student union at Butler University applauded, WISH said. That was supposed to be the last question, but Clinton insisted on taking one more question, the report said.

When it was revealed in 1998 that President Bill Clinton had had an affair with Lewinsky, the news set off a protracted drama that led to his impeachment and a failed attempt to remove him from office.   

Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage

- Photo Credit: Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi (Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton applauds as her daughter Chelsea takes the stage at a rally in Austin, Texas on March 3)

76 comments so far

Good for you Chelsea. Your strong and spirited just like your mom. This message is to the youth of America: Please learn about the issues before you decide who to vote for in this election. Don’t be swayed by spin that there is very little difference between Hillary and Barack. Hillary’s Solutions for America are far and away above his empty promises of hope. Hillary is right for America. Our country faces serious issues and the next President will be challenged above all others before them to restore our standing at home and abroad. Please just do your homework before you vote and then, I believe, you will vote for Hillary for President of the United States of America.

- Posted by Mary O'Bryan

Excellent and vital question to be answered and Chel baby, it is the American peoples business! Hillary is not running for a head manager position at McDonald’s but rather for the President of the U.S.

This question goes right to the matter of Hillary’s values, morals and trust worthiness. If she places her ambitions above her self respect, what do you think she will do with ours? If she can’t control her husband how can she expect to lead the country? Bubba lied to the American people ON TV no less while almost getting impeached (not very impressive Bill), Hillary (only has only stayed with him to give her a shot at the presidency, while carpet-backing N.Y.) spins everything (sniper story) to her whim. The American people should be very frightened with this unscrupulous, power-hungry woman who places her values behind her ambitions.

- Posted by Bob

Chelsea, I agree with you. ITS NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS.

Senator Clinton went thru hell already and she survived the Political embarrasment. Senator Clinton is strong, faithfull, caring and focus in more constructive things instead of whimpering.

Senator Clinto has proven to survive personal and Political crisis with class and strenght. GOD BLESS 3 OF YOU DEAR CHELSEA.

- Posted by ladyjustice

Sorry, Chelsea ~~~
When you are act as a surrogate for Mom, you have to expect tough questions….if you can’t stand the heat, get outta the kitchen !!

Also, is Mom having a concert by Sir Elton John, in violation of U.S. law??? He is a foreign national and not allowed to influence our election process in that way….OH, I FORGOT…you, your mother, your dad, and their cohorts are entitled to their OWN set of laws!!

- Posted by Dick / NH

In all fairness, Hilliary introduced dirty politics, so the question concerning Monic’s stained blue dress shouldn’t be held exempt from Chelsea. It is your mom whom have opened the door, so you need direct your question to her, but you need respond to the question. As you can see how you have been affected by your own mom’s decisions, so have so many. Maybe, you can suggest that your mom go easy, since you are out of the trail which means with your mom anything goes, so get ready Chelsea or get out. It’s your mom doing, so deal with it. Be polite, don’t make place yourself in your mom’s footsteps, because it appears that you don’t have the heart.

- Posted by Nisey01

That question was irrelevant and rude.

I propose people pass an IQ test before they are allowed to participate in the electoral process.

- Posted by marina

So he likes doing brass or getting it on. Have any of you ever seen the home video he made taking golf shots of a senator´s car or riding the kids trike through the white house halls? He likes to have fun and is a genuinely good bloke. I know, i met him in Harrogate while i was playing golf and he crashed someone´s wedding. His daughter is a good example of a citizen and attractive at that so leave the poor man alone. Pay more attention to the people who are IN power - Sarkozy - sleeping with a model. Is that wrong too?

- Posted by Jonny Goldberg

In reply to Terri’s confusion about President Clinton “shaming the nation on an international scale” how many international people have you spoken to on the issue? For I have & every last one of them thought the whole thing was a dog & pony show, especially with the republicans who were leading the witch hunt, themselves having extramarital affairs. Newt Gingrich, does he ring a bell?

- Posted by Kevin leddy

To question how the affair affected her mother was absolutely appropriate as her mother wants to be President of the United States. It is especially important as her mother pulled that Great Right Wing Conspiracy nonsense. If Miss Chelsea wants to be treated with a hands off policy she should not be actively campaigning. She is 27 year old woman not a school girl.

But as with her parents she is one arrogant individual. Perhaps only an insensitive jerk would ask the question, but only a family of selfish, self important jerks would get themselves in this situation time after time. Perhaps Miss Chelsea was traumatized by the sniper fire in Tuzla? Why do you good Clintonites think so much of the Party is deserting Senator Clinton for Senator Obama?

- Posted by Robert

A fair question in the campaign trail. If she is out there affirming her mothers lies why not take a serious question from a young supporter. It is amazing to me how the 27 year old who is old enough to go out there begging for votes can’t answer questions to anyone. Only the Clintons can get away with that. Maybe the next question that needs to be asked is who is the big boss at the Hedge Fund company she works for and how much he has contributed to her mother’s campaign not to mention her father’s library.

- Posted by DKLA

The Clinton campaign has a total hands-off policy regarding Chelsea– no interviews, no questions from the press.

You can’t have your cake and eat it too. If she is out campaigning for her mother, she is subject to the same rules that apply to any surrogate of the candidate.

Still, it’s nice to see the Clintons so protective of their 28 year old daughter.

If you can’t ask Chelsea a question without the Clintons going ballistic, just think what they would have done if, when she was say a 22 year old intern, the 49 year old CEO of the company used her as a sexual toy?

Too bad they forgot that Monica was somebody else’s 22 year old daughter when Bill took advantage and the whole Clinton team geared up to destroy her–until the blue dress evidence made that smear campaign pointless.

- Posted by Tony Iovino

sorry but i think we need answer’s.not only about monica but about white water,peter and paul,donors for the libary,taxes and why she really wants back in the white house? also her daughter is grown and i want to know why the press is going after obama wife,freinds,pastor,and not chelsea she is fair game to we need to know if at 27 she plans to move back in the white house grow up you are no longer a child

- Posted by white water

How crass can someone be? Only an insensitive jerk would ask Chelsea that question.

- Posted by Ava

Hey DoubleD…do you tell your employer about your sex life?

- Posted by GoClinton

I totally agree with those who note that Chelsea Clinton has chosen on her own to jump head first into the political arena. She is on the campaign trail, traveling the country stumping for her Mother, therefore; she should be prepared to answer any pertinent question that could befall any other Clinton surrogate.

While they may hate to admit it, the Monica Lewinsky scandal is a legitimate part of the Clinton presidential legacy and it’s something that they all should be prepared to deal with.

I personally think that she missed a prime opportunity to answer that question as an adult, rather than a brat, by noting how dealing with that unfortunate and very personal issue made not only her family, but specifically her Mother stronger and how she was able to deal with it with class and dignity. Instead Chelsea opted to deal with the question as the child that everyone continues to see her as.

Chelsea had better toughen up and quick because if they get their wish and the Clintons go up against the Republicans, this Primary would be a walk in the park compared to what she stands to be up against and what kind of questions and comments she may be subject to on the actual election campaign trail.

My suggestion…if you can’t stand the heat, get your butt out the kitchen!

- Posted by Dee

Questions good or bad, it does not matter. Americans need to accept the basic human understanding that sex is an essential part of life, not a separate minute part. The reason why we American get distracted by other people’s sexual behavior is because we are so in denial of our lives and our being. Sex is life. There will be no life on earth without sex. Nobody has the right to judge who is right in sexual behaior or not. If Bill Clinton was born and raised in France, Denmark or Sweden, he would have had enough sexual satisfaction in his life, not to be distracted by a passing fancy. We preach, we judge and yet the most outspoken preachers and pastors in this country, are most sexually perverted ones.
The problem is that Americans do not have enough sex, and this manifests itself in our aggressive behaior as warriors. We fight and kill each other, and we export our agression to every corner of the globe. If George W. Bush, Condolessa Rice and Bush Cheney have as much sexual satisfaction, as Sakorzy of France, we will not be ravaging and killing the Iraqis.
Chelsea screwed up because like her parents and 99.9% of all American, we are taught sex is something bad and that we should hide it, and lie about it. Grow up America and stop screwing up your kids.

- Posted by Theo

Wow! The apple does not fall far from the tree. While M.L. was “Blanking” the president Clinton in the white house, at the same time he was on the phone deciding the future of Bosnia and its people. On the other hand H. Clinton visit to “poor” Bosnia was under the heavy artillery. They surely are fit to run the country again. No morals, no principals!!!!!! How many more lies are there?

“Poor Bosnian”

- Posted by Millie

What a Rovian question! What “criticism” was this budding young “journalist” referring to? Anonymous criticism? Rightwing criticism? In what way was Hillary ever “weak” in dealing with a most excruciating situation that would’ve crushed almost anyone? As she herself said to a standing ovation everyone knows every last thing about her life…and yet she continues on, because she realizes that she’s privileged and in a position to help other people who deal with more bitter blows every day.

He was a total tool.

- Posted by Zee

I’m sick and tired of everyone ragging on Bush when what we’re looking at for the next president is the absolute worst selection of candidates in history. Bush did what he said he would, he kept the terrorist’s out of the U.S. If you can’t understand that, go to a 3rd world country that’s being bombed and live. IF you can’t support our people that are fighting to keep our freedom you ought to move out of the U.S.

- Posted by Nancy

I think we should leave the kids out of their family’s dirty laundry. I applaud Chelsea for setting this strait. This is not an appropriate question to ask. Would it be fair for someone to ask Gov. Splitzer’s daughters about prostitution. I am glad this Chelsea handled this with her heads up. I think both Obama and McCain must reject this sort of attacks on the kids.

- Posted by Ismail Saadiq

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