Chelsea misspeaks on Bush travel

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

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

NOT TO WORRY. The supers have been migrating to Obama and away from Hillary for many weeks. Who, in their right mind, would think that this exodus will suddenly reverse?

This is a woman with more closeted scandals available to the Republican smear machine than 6 or 7 Obamas. She has dissapointed - but not surprised - a huge percentage of the party with her Clintonesque campaign of "eating your own."

She will say (REMEMBER, actually) anything to gain support/sympathy or to hurt her fellow party members. We are Democrats and that is fine when confronting Republicans - but NOT within the party. Also, Senator Obama has actually accomplished so much more with so much less privledge and initial resources than she ever will. This is a tribute to him and will carry him forward in the general.

Polite words will continue to be spoken. People are always wary around the volaitie personality types, but she is "dead" to many in our party - around the country and on the Hill. There will be visible and hidden glee when we soon say adieu to the (unentitled) Clintons.

Gary - PITT (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:39 PM)

Chelsea is typically Clinton. In addition to being venemous, vitriolic and vituperate, they all will do anything, say anything and would out right lie in order to get "Billary" elected. How sad.

L. Grodzicki, Pt. Clear, AL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:41 PM)

Ack! Poor Chelsea, would someone from the Clinton campaign please call and correct her before she makes the mistake AGAIN.

Mkd (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:41 PM)

so much for a stanford & oxford education

jk (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:42 PM)

Lying must run in the family.

Marko, Chicago IL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:44 PM)

I guess lies run in the family.

I did not have sex with that woman.
- Bill
I was dodging sniper fire.
- Hillary
Bush never visited the middle east
- Chelsea

nadeem (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:44 PM)

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Plank anyone?

Rebecca (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:47 PM)

Maybe she was sleepy.

Dog don't make cat...

YCM - NYC (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:47 PM)

I think its a genetic trait. Chelsea is misspeaking now but will be lying soon. Somebody better pull her from the campaign trail before she gets hammered.

AJ, IL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:47 PM)

She is 28 years old now and hardly a child anymore. However, I don't think that she should be subjected to questions about scandals that occurred when she was a child. I do think that she should have to answer questions that deal with her current statements though. If she doesn't want to answer questions at all, then the media shouldn't cover her at all.

C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:49 PM)

Time for Chelsea to go back to that cushy 100K+ job her parents got for her. I wonder if it's a no-show, like on the Sopranos...

Why don't you have to work for a living? (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:49 PM)

Hillary's middle name: Misspeak... Chelesea's middle name: Mispeaking. Bill's middle name: Misspoke... That is the Mispeaking Family.
Obviously, they are using the word "mispeak" in order to make up stories for purposes of helping Hllary win by means of a make believe game.

Jerry S. Oakland, CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:49 PM)

Chelsea was wrong. But I'll give her a little credit. It really doesn't seem like Bush has visited the area too much. He had 7 years to work on the Middle East and here we are.

sg, michigan (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:50 PM)

I SEE THAT MSNBC WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET THE PUBLIC OFF THE ATTENTION ABOUT THE RECENT WRIGHT ISSUE- HENCE THE ITALIANS AND JEWS............................

JUST WAIT WHEN THE ALL OF AMERICA STOP THIS PREACHER OBAMA TRACKS......AND WILL NOT ALLOW THIS IDIOT TO BE PRESIDENT..

Maria Christine, Richardson, TX (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:51 PM)

Bush was one of the most ignorant presidents ever...he had a southern evangelical view of the world and that has turned out to be patently wrong and dangerous...herr point is well taken that he has spent the elast amount of time in an area of the world he is trying to destroy...

Rick, NC (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:52 PM)

Wow, there seems to be a lot of animosity toward the Clintons...and that is why it will be hard to elect Senator Clinton for president. 2008 should have been the year that the Democrats were a shoo-in for the White House. Instead, we are mired in an all-out brawl between two candidates - one candidate with baggage brought on by her husband's infidelity and the other candidate who is a racist. This life-long Democrat will probably be voting for McCain.

Barb, Troy, MI (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:52 PM)

I think MSNBC must have been wary in writing this...look at David Shuster (name might be misspelled). They really did him in, while they (Clinton's) run around and say and do whatever to whomever.
If MSNBC allows Pat Buchannon and his outdated views, why silence David or give him a less role. Anytime someone says something about Chelsea, they better watch their backs.
I will say to Chelsea, she needs to "Saddle Up"!

The nerve of Bill to campaign around our country after all his escapades and the way he he embarrassed our country.

Seems to me he and Hilliary wants it both ways, Bill and Hilliary wants us to forgive all their behaviors and indescretions, but wants to throw Wright in our faces.
Well back at cha' Bill and Hilliary! Go home!

Michelle Zee (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:54 PM)

Out of everyone involved in this campaign, it's CHELSEA that's getting the free ride! How in the world - at 28 years old - are you campaigning for a presidential candidate and the press isn't allowed to ask you questions?!? Are you kidding me? She's not some braces-wearing adolescent anymore, she's a grown woman being sent all over the country to advocate for and speak on behalf of someone running for the most powerful elected office in the world! Why is the press not clamoring to have her answer questions? What garbage! She can just go out and say whatever and take questions only from friendly audiences. When she gets one question she doesn't like, she snaps that it's "none of (the questioner's) business". Ridiculous. If she's good enough to trot out there in support, she should be made to speak to the press like every other campaign surrogate.

YCM - NYC (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:54 PM)

I watched "Verdict" last night and they were discussing the same thing regarding getting free passes from the press. Dan Abrams thought that family members should get a "free pass". However, if that's true, then why is Michelle Obama getting hammered over things that she is saying? Isn't your spouse a member of your family?

If Chelsea CHOOSES to put herself out in the public eye to campaign for her Mom, then she should have to take the criticism as well. It was right to protect her from the press when she was a child. That protection should NOT extend for the rest of her life just because she's a Clinton. If she doesn't want to talk to the press like any other candidate's proxy, then she should STAY HOME.

L, MI (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:55 PM)

Apparently, MIS-SPEAKING (Lying) runs in the family...

Patty,SD,CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:55 PM)

Independent Don:
"Time for the media to start scrutinizing Chelsea and request interviews and posing difficult questions."

It's working for her parents, so why not? Most likely misspeak, but how many do the Clinton's get before credibility is completely gone. It's all coming back to me ....

RTV, West Plains, MO (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:55 PM)

Clinton makes a mistake and someone catches her on it and Clinton must be she's a liar.

McCain makes a verbal error someone catches him on it and McCain must be a feeble old goat.

Obama makes a mistake and someone catches him on it and the guy that catches the mistake must be a racist.

campdog (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:55 PM)

Misspeaking is in her genes. She might have gotten the benefit of the doubt is she had'nt lied, along with her mother, about the 'snipers'. She might have gotten the benefit of the doubt if she had'nt sniped at a young person with a manipulative, seemingly prepared, response to a legitimate question asked of someone out stumping for a candidate running for the Presidency of the USA.

The Clinton campaign is in a major melt-down, again. The honeymoon is over for Chelsea. I wonder if she'll apologize? Given her gene-pool........?

donna, pgh.,pa. (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:57 PM)

I haven't seen this, but heard about it, so I'm hoping someone can comment on what happened. Did Chelsea really tell a 9 year old girl she wouldn't answer a question b/c she was part of the press? The publication that employed this 9 year old was the school newspaper??? Tell me someone was yanking my chaing b/c that's pretty pathetic.

Chris, CT (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:58 PM)

I'm an Obama supporter but this is a cheap stunt by msnbc trying to play out the Bosnia storyline a bit longer. The "mother/daughter" and "apple from tree" comments above prove that you can push whatever buttons you want to get the response you want.

This would not have been a story if it wasn't for Senator Clinton's blatent gaffe on Bosnia. Your making news of this is poor judgement.

Ed G (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:59 PM)

Obama will do and say anything to win - but MSNBC doesn't cover it!

Nothing about Obama's misogynistic remarks about Hillary - his "claws" and "emotional" remarks specifically.

Nothing about Rezko until the primaries were almost over.
Nothing about Rezko on Obama's 2004 campaign committee.

Nothing about Obama's ploy of "Dems for a day" - encouraging Repubs and Indys in ALL states to change voter registration and vote for HIM - then switch back to their parties before Nov.
Ohio is investigating Limbaugh doing this and it wasn't even to benefit him directly. Obama's ploy of messing with the electoral process benefited him DIRECTLY - but once again, Obama gets a free pass.

Nothing about Obama's earmark for his wife's employer - resulting in a significant raise in her salary.

If the media presented these issues to the public 24/7 - it's likely Obama's poll numbers would decrease.
That's why Obama's media doesn't do it.

No need to vote folks! The media manipulates coverage and "decides" our nominees.

Angela, PA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:00 PM)

CHELSEA IS A CLINTON --- SHE LIES LIKE A RUG.

CHELSEA LIES (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:02 PM)

Obama was "misspeaking" about Rezko - throughout 2007.

Over and over and over Obama claimed he "barely knew the man" - until AFTER most of the primaries were over and Rezko's trial began - and Obama was FORCED to answer questions because Obama is named in the federal court documents.

Obama/Wright08

Margaret, NYC (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:03 PM)

watch it, there, you'll get suspended! Chelsea's off limits.

Jill, Tampa, FL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:03 PM)

Too bad Chelsea doesn't allow the media to speak to her or participate in a dialog with her. Had they been allowed to do that, she would have learned right away from a reporter challenging her on the validity of her claim that it was not true. Instead she will go thru the whole day repeating her Mis-statements. I do think, however, she will learn of them tonight on Hardball and Countdown.

Armi, Chicago IL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:04 PM)

The Clintons have only one child correct ? Bosnia according to Clinton was unsafe. So let me ask you, what type of parent and how good of judgement is it to take your only child into a war zone ? A war zone where she states she bobbed and weaved and corkscrewed, etc. I am just wondering if Chelsea made that 3 AM call, asking her if she could shopping in Iraq, that she would say of course dear. Her Judgement as a parent really should be called in question,. I am sure she loves her child more than anything, but her judgement as a parent does not seem to be up to snuff, how can her judgement as President be any better. If this were anyone elses child, Department of Child and Family Services would charge the family with willful endangerment of a child.

Roger B - Kissimmee, FL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:05 PM)

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. If she is on the campaign trail, this 28 year-old woman is responsible for what she says (or reads from the teleprompter) and should be expected to answer questions from the press and public.

SK, Buffalo, NY (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:05 PM)

The fruit does not fall too far from the tree. I bet she will deny that she said so - read my lips, I did not ........

Tryme (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:08 PM)

Let's not be too hard on Chelsea, after all she is the daughter of politicians and one doesn't come to mind who could tell the truth from a lie or cared. The important thing is that we keep our minds off the important things that are destroying this country.

john san antonio (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:10 PM)

I understand that HRC and WJC are old and probably are still trying to figure out how it is that when they lie it is so quickly discovered, clipped, posted and going viral in minutes. (They should have listened to Gore when he spoke about the internet.)

But, Chelsea ... say it isn't so.

Linda, Leawood, Kansas (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:11 PM)

So?

Get off her back you Obama network!

Chelsea is a lovely, intelligent young woman who's working her heart out for her mother. Bill and Hillary Clinton should be very proud of their daughter.

Who knows what Barack Obama's daughters will be like when they are being exposed to and taught racism from their "pastor" Jeremiah Wright and "pastor" Moss in their so called "church" where it's cool to be racist, anti-white, anti-Italian, anti-semitic, anti-American, pro-Farakhaan, black supremist, nation of islam supporters. Heaven help us. What kind of man, what kind of father would subject his own part white children to this hateful trash talk? Obama lacks the character and judgment to be President.

Obama is unelectable. No amount of MSNBC or all other 24/7 media promotion will ever make him electable.

**VOTE SMART! VOTE HILLARY!**

God Bless America, NEVER, God Da-n America as Obama's mentor and pastor Wright likes to shout!

Jack (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:21 PM)

If this is how she runs a campaign.......
The the hell is going to do us as President?
It's not even funny any more. It scares the hell out of me. She wants to be PRESIDENT!!!!
(Before you start, don't give me any of the "it's her daughter, not her. EVERYTHING that is said on her behalf should be vetted by her staff.)

James, MV, Ca. (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:24 PM)

In this case Chelsea is probably just mixed up about what the President did or didn't do. Her point is that he's not very engaged and that's true. Hillary's story about her trip to Bosnia is in a different class entirely. You'll know and remember if you're under sniper fire. Hillary knew she was lying and she repeated her lie over and over to various audiences. Hillary still hasn't taken ownership of her words and what she did.

Keith in PA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:27 PM)

It runs in the family; lies is a virtue in Clinton's family and i am sure they see anything wrong with it.

Bee (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:28 PM)

Just like mommie and daddy what she doesn't know she makes up.
Bill Loud Mouth Clinton has brought more dishonor to the post of president than any president ever in the history of the nation with lies to congress, blow jobs in the White House, Nafta.
While mommies trips under snipper fire, White Water, looking the other way to at least 6 affairs the public knows of, lack of any real work as a US Senator from her beloved home state of New York?
These people and the pigs they surround themselves with are discussing. Just how stupid does a person have to be to still support this trailer trash? THey belong on the Jerry Springer show not the nightly news!

Dave Austin,Texas (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:31 PM)

She is as fair game now as ANYONE who is publicly commenting on public political issues! If you don't want to get "clipped", don't go into political arenas.
The press MUST ask her to clarify her statements before broadcast or publication.

David Kolva, MD Oswego NY (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:31 PM)

Greg R., Spokane, WA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:31 PM)

Momma's helpers forgot or didn't care to fact check before giving Miss Little Bits her talking points

Robert Hughes (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:31 PM)

The whole Clinton Machine is pathetic. I predict they'll do a make-over on Chelsea and have her come out like a pit-bull! Just like Mommy does.

Haoles for Obama.

Bill, Honolulu, HI (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:33 PM)

Actually Bush visited Israel before he became President. In the late 90's he met with Barak and Ariel Sharon. In fact Sharon had him out to his ranch and took him on a helicopter tour to make his point that Israel's pre-67 borders were indefensible.

Rich, East Brunswick, NJ (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:34 PM)

Yo Tony. Learn the call letters, huh? and if you want real news, try getting on fox. Get real. Just say it out loud. 'I am too stupid to understnad what I'm reading.' See how easy that was. Now, go take patties place in the corner.

tootired Ill (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:35 PM)

Listen People! If you are a Democrat and believe in the principles of the Democratic party on the issues, there can be no reason you would switch your vote to a Republican other than you are a racist, should the nominee be Obama. Remember the 4,000+ Americans killed in Iraq. Our young men are being forced to gamble with their lives tour after tour of service in Iraq, all for the sake of oil. Don't you understand that the world is not going to sit by and watch the US confiscate Iraqi oil as a result of Bush's present negotiations with the so-called "Iraqi government?" We cannot be foolish enough to believe that this war is about Iraqi freedom or Al Queda. Let's think about this situation. Could it be we are not fighting Islamic terrorist at all but Iraqis who believe their natural resource is being stolen from them? Are we to believe that the Iraqi people are so stupid that they are unable to solve their own national problems? I say BRING OUR BOYS HOME NOW!!! The Clintons' stategy is to keep Rev. Wright's name in the press as long as possible, stir up racial animosity and fear, throw mud on Sen. Obama at every opportunity. Their hope is Obama will be so severely hurt by their message that, when the time comes for the Clinton's to provide their tax records and the names of the contributors to the Clinton libary, there will be somewhat of a cushion for Sen. Clinton in percentages to withstand the criticism that is sure to come. My fellow Americans, stay alert! The Clintons are up to their knees in contributions from lobbyists, oil companies, financial institutions, insurance companies, and recipients of presidential pardons, etc. Corporate interests will remain the Clintons' priority. Let us learn from where their newly found wealth comes. You will not get change in America with the Clintons but I would like to hope that we can at least bring our heroes home and that can only be accompished if we stay with the Democratic party.

Corine Clark (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:40 PM)

Well at least she didn't say, "God damn America" and all the white people running it. At least she didn't say that and neither did anyone in her family.

Milo, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:40 PM)

Don't be fooled here..something is up. Chelsea Clinton is not going to bring this attention to herself unless it is for a purpose. Media attacks daughter, Hillary goes ballistic and the media and the women throw the sympathy vote. Hillary you guys are just that transparent to me! America..don't get sucked into this game!

genie, Detroit, MI (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:45 PM)

Oh come on--I am a true Obama fan but Chelsea just says what she is told. I am sure she doesn't know one way or another.

jmc,Wa (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:51 PM)

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