I can not help but feel bad for Chelsea, trying so much to help her Mom get elected and has to feild questions about the Monica situation.

These are college students, and I understand they are young, and the only thing that I can think of is maybe in their family they eperienced this too, and that's why they ask. But even still, where is the sensitivity?

Pesonally, I think she is doing awesome holding her own, but I also think to ask these questions of her is at a minimum, highly insensitive and borderline cruel. One on one, would not be as bad, bad enough, but not as bad in front of hunderds.

People fail to understand sometimes, that although in the public eye, they still house wounds and feelings.

The Associated Press: 'Other Woman' Shadows Chelsea Clinton

tomder55

Why should she be immune ?She is now a 28 year old adult and not a child. She is the one who has put herself out there in the public arena by campaigning for her mother .She is probably being groomed for a future political career . Perhaps she would be more comfortable detailing how she dodged sniper fire in Bosnia.

If she had answered the question directly from the beginning the issue may not have repeat itself. The response she has crafted now seems adequate .It certainly beats blaming the affair on the vast right wing conspiracy.

But she can expect to hear the question in her travels in the campaign because most of these college students have not heard her give the answer before .

Personally I would be asking her about her work at a Hedge fund and ask her if she was involved in leveraging sub prime mortages ; ripping off poor home buyers .

Allheart

Tom,

But she is a 28 year old adult, who experienced something very painful. I am not saying they can't ask, but just wondering why?

I know people who volunteer to step into the public eye are open to anything, but this was pain, inflicted on her, not caused by her.

George_1950

Yes, she has put herself into the public spotlight. I expect a lot of inquisitors would like to ask Hillary similar questions but she knows how (and why) to keep reporters at more than arms length.

Allheart

I wouldn't even ask Hillary. I would not speak a word, I would only want to give her a hug.

Pain is pain no matter what job you hold.

The only one who should have to field those questions, would be the 2 who set it into motion.

And I wouldn't even feel the need to bother to ask them.

George_1950

I know you have seen how reporters shove the mic into someone's face and ask all kinds of questions, most of which sound kind of stupid. And there is always this one: 'how did you feel when ...?' If Hillary loses the election, retires from the senate, and appears on Larry King, it will be a question in the first segment if she allows it.

Allheart

Very true George. Because I guess most want to know? But I am sure her feeling are no different then any other woman who experienced that, well, even worse considering the visiblity.

If I were Hillary and Chelsea, I would answer any questions pertaining to that with,
"And I'll take the next questions please". I would not even address it and that would be uniformed no matter who asked, where or when.

Just as it's within the right of the asker, those two also have every right to answer as I would have. Yes?

tomder55

she could've stopped the questioning right away by giving a response simular to the one she has since crafted or something like this

I was young .But I remember it being a difficult and painful time for my family.

When the question persists she should take the offensive and add that she has been asked the question many times and that she thinks it is an attempt to intimidate her from campaigning for her mom. But it will not work because she thinks her mom being elected to the Presidency is too important for the country . Then she should regurgitate the campaign talking points about the issues. Then conclude that she will not be scared or diverted from delivering that message. ..........next ?

What is so hard about it ? Instead the Clinton's tried to put her out there while at the same time protect her . That is why David Schuster ;who I personally think is a slug ,was suspended by MSNBC .;for daring to question the motives of the Clinton's use of their daughter in the campaign.

Allheart

That is true Tom, they did put their daughter out there. I never even thought of that.

And yes, I do think you are right with your repsonse and the one that Chelsea made.

She may be 28 but those wounds are probably still fresh and will last a good long time.

George_1950

Exactly, and there are many who would respect her wishes. On the other hand, if we follow the story over time, we develop a sense of her personal growth and maturity, which is a nice thing. I thought she was graceful in answering that she felt her mother would make a better president than her father; not that I agree with her, but that she is willing to share herself in that manner. It makes her a more interesting person, in my view, rather than a puppet of her family's ambition.
You, Allheart, are kind and perceptive, but these folks are in 'the show' for the prize, you know?