(Danville, California)
Controversy is mounting over the role of Chelsea Clinton in her mother's campaign and whether or not she should avail herself to questions from the press and public, especially on sensitive, personal matters.
You may recall I wrote praisingly about Chelsea during the Wisconsin primary on February 18.(That column is still posted on this blog. Just scroll down!)Her appearance at Beloit College that day was truly remarkable. She took dozens of questions from students, but steadfastly refused to answer questions from the press there and elsewhere.
That is just plain wrong! She is an official surrogate for her mother's campaign; and all other surrogates are obligated to speak on behalf of whom they officially endorse and campaign for.
Back in New Hampshire, I interrupted Sen. Lindsey Graham while he was eating lunch. He is one of Sen. John McCain's chief surrogates, and it was my only chance to speak with him briefly. He was more than happy to oblige me and even posed for a photo (posted below, on January 6 pt 7, I believe). He wasn't mad at all that I interrupted his meal. Quite honestly, he was more than happy to talk to any reporter he could find.
As a surrogate, he's out selling his candidate and by doing so has put himself in the line of fire. And sometimes it's a tough spot. Just ask former Rep. Geraldine Ferraro, an outspoken surrogate who got drummed out of the Clinton campaign for her candid remarks. So being a surrogate comes with a lot of responsibility and pressure. It's hardball politics.
Which brings me back to Chelsea Clinton. When her dad was elected President, she was just 12. Bill and Hillary Clinton declared her "off limits" to the press, and they were good parents for doing so. I worked in DC in those days and - by and large - the press corps left her alone, as we should. She was a child.
Today is a far different "kettle of fish." Chelsea is 27 years old, a graduate of Stanford and, in my opinion, a very confident and impressive young lady. I understand her distaste for the media, but since she's out there in an official campaign capacity, trying to elect the next president, she's fair game for questions.
But because she won't talk to reporters, the questions are being peppered by largely college crowds. Last week, she was asked about Monica Lewinsky, the woman with whom her dad had an affair. She refused to answer.
Monday at North Carolina State she was asked again by another student about Lewinsky. This time she fired back. "It's none of your business," Chelsea Clinton responded. When the student tried to respond, she cut him off by saying: "Well, sir, I respectfully disagree. I think that is something that is personal to my family. I am sure there are things that are personal to your family, that you don't think are anyone else's business either."
It was a fair question (as unseemly as the topic was), and it was a fair answer on her part. Maybe she didn't answer his specific question, but she broke her silence and made a case for her family's privacy.
So she's taking baby steps, but she really needs to avail herself to the press, like the other surrogates. She's bright, confident and capable. No one knows Hillary Clinton better than Chelsea.
If she gets to ask us to vote for her mom, then at the very least, we get to ask for reasons why. It's in the best traditions of our best amendment, the First Amendment!
I have my plane tickets in hand for Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania primary on April 22.
Until then, stay tuned to www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com for the latest from politics.
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