Chelsea misspeaks on Bush travel

Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:02 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Clinton

From NBC/NJ's Matthew Berger
BENSALEM, Pa. -- Chelsea Clinton mistakenly said President Bush had not toured the Middle East as president before arriving there earlier this year.

Speaking at a retirement community outside of Philadelphia, the former first daughter suggested Bush had not been as engaged in the Middle East as previous Commanders-In-Chief, comparing his work to President Clinton’s in Northern Ireland.

“President Bush was in the Middle East last month, and its great that he was there, but that was his first trip there as president,” she said at the Wood River Village Assisted Living Center. “He’d visited our men in northern Iraq before but he’d never been to Israel; he’d never been to Jordan, he’d never been to Saudi Arabia or Egypt; he just hadn’t been.”

Bush in fact traveled to Egypt, Jordan and Qatar in 2003, and was in Jordan again in 2006. His trip in January 2008 was his first to Israel.

She spoke for more than an hour at the retirement home, addressing a wide range of issues, including healthcare, immigration and stem cell research.

Chelsea Clinton is making her first independent appearances since being asked earlier this week about the Monica Lewinsky scandal at a college town hall meeting. She will attend several events in the Philadelphia area Thursday and will speak in Allentown and Bethlehem on Friday.

*** UPDATE *** She just made the same comments about President Bush's Middle East travel while speaking at West Chester University.

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Comments

The Clinton's will do & say whatever it takes; no matter what it does to this country!

She reminds me of a contestant who enters a talent contest that's all set-up by her parents for her to win. Someone better comes along and the better person clearly has more talent and integrity and he starts to beat her.

Hillary stomps onto the stage, and screams and cries, demanding that her parents "DO SOMETHING!"

The better person wins because the Clinton plan was exposed in front of the judges and the entire audience!

Right now Hillary is at that point in the story where she yells "IF I CAN'T WIN: NO ONE WILL!"

She is trying to take the whole democratic party down with her!

Obama is better!

Teresa, Spokane, WA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:08 PM)

Like mother like daughter ... tell it how ever you want it to be ...truth be dammed

A-New-America (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:08 PM)

like Mother Like Daughter
"Oh sorry I was sleep deprived, and misspoke!"

Anne/Ohio (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:11 PM)

And her point is well taken... this President has ignored the Israeli/Palestinian issue for most of his presidency, and it doesn't matter if he was there on one trip or not. He has been absent from the issue for more than 7 years. He's a buffoon, and we should all be ashamed of ourselves for electing this jerk!

Rob in NV (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:11 PM)

I think the main point in this story is ~

CHELSEA IS CAMPAIGNING AT A RETIREMENT HOME FOR BILLARY!

white mom 4 Obama (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:11 PM)

First Read:
This is irresponsible. Knowingly or not, you're making light of what is a very serious issue regarding Hillary's lies about Bosnia. Perhaps you're trying to be cute on this but come on. She lied multiple times about the situation in Bosnia. To use the same word to describe Chelsea's mistake is irresponsible journalism.

Scott (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:13 PM)

The apple didn't fall far from her mother's 'misspeak tree'.

Laughing at Another Clinton Gaffe (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:13 PM)

Lying is in her genes. What do you expect?

Jesus Hussein Christ (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:14 PM)

Like mother like daughter. Say it even if it is a lie and rely on the public to just believe it. Words don't matter! Lying is acceptable.

Tired of being tired of this (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:15 PM)

The upside of her misspeak, is that most of the people she was talking to, won't even remember she was there. If she stays out for her mother, she needs to think about taking the heat everyone else does, when they blow it. She got a taste of it, albiet in poor taste, the other day. there are an awful lot of intelligent people out here that she doesn't even want to tangle with. Better she stay in the back ground, ready to pick up what's left of her family when Billary looses.

tootired Ill (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:15 PM)

Chelsea?? Can it be that the Clintons have deliberately caused their daughter to mimick their tupid misdeeds?
I wish Chelsea would have been out of the business of deceptive politics and focus on her own life and her future. Her parents are using her for thir very own political ambitions, not her future in this nation, because I beleive their actions may have a profound affect on Chelesea.

Bull the Dog (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:16 PM)

The poor kid. I am sure it was an innocent mistake. But, then again, when you are raised by two pathalogical liars, your "sensitivity" training for the truth might not be quite up tp par.

Virginia Wineaux (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:16 PM)

Proof is in the Pudding: It's FASHIONABLE to blame Bush even though there is a Congress right now that is just as much at fault for continuing funding. NOTE: THE PRESIDENT CANNOT FUND A WAR. It is the constitutional responsibility of CONGRESS to fund the war. So those monthly expenses for it you hate? You can shame Bush for requesting them all you want, but where's the responsibility on the people providing it?

"But it's not right to deprive the military funding." Yeah, well then Democrats elected a Congress with LESS conviction than Bush. Which is NOT the Republicans' fault. Even under a Republican majority Congress in 2003, more Dems voted in favor of invasion than voted against it.

The younger Clinton demonstrates for us here that blaming Bush is "what the cool kids are doing." So go ahead and jump off that bridge with her, and let the Democrat Congress off the hook.

Joe, Florida (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:16 PM)

The poor kid. I am sure it was an innocent mistake. But, then again, when you are raised by two pathalogical liars, your "sensitivity" training for the truth might not be quite up to par.

Virginia Wineaux (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:17 PM)

Why does a 28 year old get a free pass while campaigning?

Chelsea backed up her mothers lies about Bosnia.
Now this.

If Chelsea is going to campaign and fund raise for Hillary, there can be no free passes.

Debbie (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:18 PM)

I guess all the Clinton's get a sleep deprived. Must be from all those 3AM calls.

Funny illustrated sniper depiction here with Chelsea in it:

http://laststopmidwest.blogspot.com/

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:18 PM)

I guess the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree. She must get the embellishment gene from mom.

Oscar, Rio Vista CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:18 PM)

How can we challange this young lady to know anything as she is in fact a Clinton. As a Clinton it does not matter what you say as long as you say it conviencingly. Fact/Truth be damned a Clinton has the floor.

Candi (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:18 PM)

Those Clinton women seem to have a "misspeaking" problem! Was Chelsea sleep deprived also?

When they are sleep deprived at "3 AM" and there's an economical or terror alert that needs to be handled; will they "misspeak" again?

Teresa, Spokane, WA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:19 PM)

misspoke? like mother, like daughter, eh?

only the truth (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:20 PM)

Since Chelsea Clinton is a active advocate for her mother's candidacy, she should be held to the same standards as any surrogate. Granted, since her career is not 24-hour politics, she may have made simply "misspoke".

However, we should expect her to correct her mistake publicly. Moreover, we should start examining whether Chelsea Clinton has the same difficulty with speaking the truth as her parents do.

I remember that at one gathering she claimed she was not satisfied with her own health insurance. Since the junior Clinton works for a hedge fund, and earning a salary of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, I think her lie in this regard speaks to her character.

Jerry Tsai (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:20 PM)

Chelsea Clinton is now news?

NBC News (along with MSM) is a joke.
Cover the candidates and real news please.

Tony, IND (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:21 PM)

Though I don't believe that Hillary misspoke about her experience in Bosnia, it is pretty clear that Chelsea did that in this case. That's the difference between lying and misspeaking.

Enrique, Chicago (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:21 PM)

Uh, surprise? Poor Chelsea. She reminds me of the young lioncub being taught by mom how to hunt and kill. Still awkward and impotent, but practicing the right moves.

Time for the media to start scrutinizing Chelsea and request interviews and posing difficult questions.

Independent Don (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:22 PM)

Give her a break, she hasn't been getting enough sleep lately. And she wasn't lying, she just misspoke!

LatinaDem (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:22 PM)

It wouldn't be fair to ask a teenage 17 year old Chelsea about the Monica Lewinsky scandal; but it is definitely fair game now that she is campaigning on the behalf of her mom and she is now a 27 year old woman!

depends on what your definition of is is, Impeachment, DC (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:22 PM)

Another Clinton "misspeaks"? You've got to be kidding me! That just destroys my whole theory of good versus evil.............

just a girl (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:24 PM)

Poor dear. . . she must be sleep deprived.

snickering in PA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:24 PM)

Why is she off limits to press? What makes her so much better than the other women that had their lives ruined by her parents?

Grant it, she should not have to be asked about her father's affair, but why didn't Hilliary protect those other women when clearly Bill could not keep his hands to himself? Under her orders, those women were treated and branded as trash.

She didn't make Bill own up and take responsibility, how is she going to call a nation to a greater good?

Michelle Zee (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:24 PM)

Wow....her mother's attack and "spin" tactics have rubbed off on her. It's a mini-hillary

stephen Oregon (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:25 PM)

Seems like genetics played a funny trick here.

Unfortunately, combining Chelsea's remembering LESS than the truth with Hillary's remembering MORE than the truth just doesn't balance out. It all just equals LIE.

Ah, the Future (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:26 PM)

Like mother like daughter.

Kevin, SF, CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:27 PM)

Like mother, like daughter.

Hopefully not too much of her mother rubs off on her.

. (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:27 PM)

Once again Chelsa can comment on the failings of her Mother's opposition but does not answer questions posed by reporters or supporters. I not sure exactly what her role is in this campaign. Maybe its called stumping without comment.

shirley, san jose, ca (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:28 PM)

No surprise!!! It runs in the clinton family, always mispoken when they telling a lie. They need to get their acts together and check the facts before opening their big mouth. I'm not a Bush fan, but credit needs to be given when due.

Stacey, NY (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:28 PM)

I know Chelsea means good, but know she is starting to sound like her mother. Please keep the child at home.

sozzi, mamaroneck, ny (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:28 PM)

I know Chelsea means good, but know she is starting to sound like her mother. Please keep the child at home.

sozzi, mamaroneck, ny (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:29 PM)

Great. Chelsea Clinton as Middle Eastern Expert. Considering that her mom is running against McCain,she would do well do observe that Lance Cpl.Jimmy McCain,USMC,is a greater expert on this region than even she is,having just concluded a full tour of duty in Iraq.

Lee Holmes (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:29 PM)

You know, Chelsea is such a tool for her loser parents, she should really stick to the light and fluffy stuff and not talk much about what's really going on in the world. She has the cushy job her dad got here, she should just return there and collect a paycheck.

ressie mann (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:30 PM)

The male student's question to Chelsea at Butler reagrding her mother and Lewinsky was most likely inappropriate. But her smart-ass reply that it was none of his business rather then just stating she would not answer that question or for the student to ask her mother, has now brought a magnifying glass to anything Chelsea says or does while she campaigns for Hillary. Either protect her and get her off the campaign stump or she will be open for criticism. No whining or attacks against the media by the Clintons please if the media now begins to pursue Chelsea and her thoughts and opinions if she continues to campaign (at age 28). Because if in her campaigning she states something that is incorrect regarding Obama and the Obama camp puts out something that corrects the error made by Chelsea, I for one hope that the Clinton's do not dare even think of attacking the Obama camp for correcting Chelsea.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:32 PM)

Nappy time, Chelsea?

You sound a little "sleep deprived"!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:33 PM)

Liar. Like motherlike daughter.

Patty,sd,ca (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:34 PM)

This is a mistake that can be commented on... If you are going to say something that can be verified, then make sure that it is true. Chelsea is making a mistake that her mom made earlier about her visit to Bosina.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:35 PM)

Hey Chelsea how's that hedge fund job working out for you? Makes sense. Creating economic problems so your mom can "fix" them. Way to give back to your country.

Melissa, San Jose, CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:35 PM)

"Poor kid" doesn't seem to summarize Chelsea very well. Let's not forget that this "kid" is 28 years old. I would think that the Clinton campaign would want to avoid "stretching the truth" because over time, it at least has the appearance of looking planned. And the reality is that she could make her point i.e. that Bush has ignored certain parts of the world, without "misspeaking" to do it.

Holli, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:35 PM)

I'll give Chelsea a break. This sounds more like just a legitimate "misspeak."

Baileigh (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:35 PM)

Okay, I JUST gave her the benefit of the doubt, then I saw the "update" that she has done it AGAIN.

Somebody stop her before she ends up embarrassing herself further!

Baileigh (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:37 PM)

this makes it pretty clear that she does not follow politics which means she has no real business giveing political speeches.

michael bryan (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:37 PM)

just for the record I give her a pass this time but she needs to have someone scrub her speeches

michael bryan (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:38 PM)

Chelsea, what is it that causes the Clintons to be such great liers? Neither of you were born that way. I've read a lie from all three Give me just ONE reason to believe anything that the Clintons have to say?

Minny Buffalo Grove, IL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:38 PM)

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