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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC Political Researcher



Chelsea: Mom, better prez than dad

Posted: Friday, March 28, 2008 1:56 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: ,

From NBC/NJ's Matthew Berger
ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Chelsea Clinton was asked whether her mother would be a better president than her father, and she said yes.

Speaking at Lehigh Valley Hospital Friday, she laughed when a man in the front row asked her to choose between her parents.

“His question is, ‘Do I think my mother will be a better president than my father,’” she said. “Well, again, I don’t take anything for granted, but hopefully with Pennsylvania’s help, she will be our next president, and yes, I do think she’ll be a better president.”

Clinton spoke for more than an hour at the hospital, taking mostly questions about healthcare issues.

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Comments

I agree. I don't see HER having sex in the oval office!
I am an Obama supporter and I agree that the super delegates should vote according to their conscience and based on who is more electable in November. They should not blindly vote based on who wins most pledged delegates.

The reason we have Primary elections is to determine electability in November so guess what, Obama is proving that he is electable, which he has done against Ms. Clinton who was the presumptive nominee up until January. Hillary is the one who is unelectable. She couldn’t even win the primaries, how can she win the General Elections. Besides she has the highest disapproval rating of any candidate. 45% of the electorate will never vote for HRC. So she only has a 55% electorate to work with. Both Obama and McCain have disapproval ratings of 26% and 27% respectively. Go figure who is more electable.

Democratic nomination was Hillary's to lose and she is losing it. How can anyone argue that she is more electable in Nov when she screwed up the primaries. It takes strategy and smarts to win elections... different strategies for primaries and general elections. Hillary has failed in the first test, and is now asking us to trust us with a bigger test in November. Obama is a once in a life time candidate who is winning against odds. And those of you who are calling him racist, you really belong in the other party, please vote for McCain whoever the democratic nominee is. I and an Obama supporter but will vote for Clinton, if she is our nominee.
She's gotta get there first, Sweetie.


I'd focus on that more than picking favorites just yet...
I've been an Obama supporter since he announced last February. I do not think Hillary "needs" to drop out at this point, but she does need to realize that her chances are slimming, and that she needs to keep her campaign positive and on message. Both of them do. Because more of the petty bickering back and forth is going to hurt the party even more. She has every right to remain in the race, but she has to realize that when it's all said and done and she isn't the nominee, that she hasn't battered her opponent so much that he can't rebound.
I guess that's a difficult question for her, but did she really have to throw Bill under the bus?
Too bad we can't get her to expound on her answer because the media isn't allowed to ask her any questions.
Hey Dad, you suck!

*bill wishing he had a son.
Are you SURE she wasn't offended by that question?
Chelsea knowingly lied last week to an audience when asked if her mother was being truthful about facing sniper fire in Bosnia. Chelsea said "I take my mother's word for it. And I was there."

She's just a chip off the old blocks.
Chelsea knowingly lied last week to an audience when asked if her mother was being truthful about facing sniper fire in Bosnia. Chelsea said "I take my mother's word for it. And I was there."

She's just a chip off the old blocks.
Obama supporters really need to calm down.  Apparently it is going to the convention.  I personally hope Obama falls flat.  He states what "change" the country needs but he is lacking on the "how" to do it.  All talk is worthless without a detailed plan.  He has not provided one - at all.
As an Obama supporter, why can't we get surrogates stumping for him like Hill has Bill and Chelsea?  I know the Clinton campaign is strapped for money, but 3 Clinton's campaigning against one Obama is ridiculous.  Where is Michele these days?
We don't know what Hilary will do in the O Office. We do know Bush is not doing anything.  LOL
Chelsea, the magic 8 ball just came up "shattered dreams", sorry...
"THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!"
That's only because Bill set the bar so low.
Hillary will not be a better President than Bill.  Bill was a *leader*.  Hillary is a *boss*.  We don't need a boss.  Obama is far closer to Bill, than Hillary is to Bill.

Hillary is good with policy and fighting to get what she wants.  She is not someone who can inspire people.  She would not be a good president.  What she would be is a great Senate Majority Leader.  Someone who can fight to get things done.  Someone who is detailed and policy orientated.  She'd have a far better chance of getting a Health Care plan and other plans pushed through as Senate Majority Leader, with Obama as President.

Imagine this.  Take whatever initiative you want.  Health care, SS reform, etc.  Imagine President Obama getting people inspired to support it, and Sen. Maj Leader Clinton fighting in the Senate to get it passed.

Best of both worlds.
What are the distinguishing factors between two peas in a pod?

If it were Bill running, after Hillary had held the Presidency, I wonder what her answer would be?

Do you seriously expect Chelsea to say, ' Mom won't be as good as Dad'? Please.

Pulling for Obama '08
I love Chelsea  Her mom would be great
What a poor little girl.  They really are pimping her out, I'm sorry, but it's true.  She definitely doesn't seem like her own person.  Like mother, like daughter I guess.    
But what does Amy Carter think?  Enquiring minds must know . . .
Chelsea is a sweetheart. I would love to see her run for president in the future. She seams very intelligent and a very caring person.
hillary has the answers to so may of our problems.  God knows Bushy has made enough. How did he get elected anyway? Lets give someone a chance---hillary-- that has been thinking how she can help the American people since her college days.  And she has the smarts and is not in this race for the money.  Hopely the republicans are out for the next 50 years!!!!!!!!!!!
Could she really answer it any other way?  Think what the reaction would be if she said that she thought her Mom would not be as good as her dad?
Chelsea's setting the bar a little low.
Careful.  Carville will knee cap you for disloyalty.  Maybe just one knee this time.
Chelsea is a sweetheart. I would love to see her run for president in the future. She seams very intelligent and a very caring person.

Brother Odd

Chelsea is a biggest tool and stage stooge ever. Her parents use her to get attention like other politicians use cocker spaniels for the same reason. She's got a six figure income job, yet another kick back from yet another shady Clinton deal. Chelsea looks to be following her parents into their corrupt world.
How does Chelsea get a free pass from the press....she can say whatever she wants but will not answere questions from the press...she is not "LITTLE CHELSEA" any longer...she is over 25 years old and should not get special treatment...period
How does Chelsea get a free pass from the press....she can say whatever she wants but will not answere questions from the press...she is not "LITTLE CHELSEA" any longer...she is over 25 years old and should not get special treatment...period
How does Chelsea get a free pass from the press....she can say whatever she wants but will not answere questions from the press...she is not "LITTLE CHELSEA" any longer...she is over 25 years old and should not get special treatment...period
How does Chelsea get a free pass from the press....she can say whatever she wants but will not answere questions from the press...she is not "LITTLE CHELSEA" any longer...she is over 25 years old and should not get special treatment...period
Chelsea's credibility is a little suspect since telling the college student that it was "none of his business"....if she continues to stump for the Clinton campaign, she'd better be ready for  several more questions like that. She's eight years older than the student who questioned her about Lewinski... and if she continues to be on the campaign trail, she's fair game.
***
SHE PROBABLY IS GETTING CONFUSED BY REALITY. ... OR THE 'TALKING POINTS' BEING FORCE-FEED TO HER BY THE CAMPAIGN BRAINAGINS.
.
p.s.  CHELSEA IS BEING TREATED LIKE A 'LITTLE GIRL' BY THE MEDIA --- SHE IS AN ADULT WHO SHOULD BE MADE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT HER CAMPAIGN STATEMENTS.
.......................
Gee, Chelsea, the girl that never spoke, appears to be liking this thing called the campaign trail.  Before she answered the question someone should have asked her to first define "a good President".  Another Clinton, say whatever you think they want to hear.  (I'd better keep my tongue in check or Chelsea will tell me, "I really don't think that's any of your business!")
Wow; triple comment!

I think Hill would make a fine president... if she could get elected. Odds are at this point, she can't; Obama came in with too much momentum and ran a better campaign than she did. I find her taking the low road utterly unacceptable and, worse, contributing to McCain's prospects in the GE, but that won't stop me for voting for her, even if (at this point) I'd prefer Barry.
...........a better president than Bill?  Heck, my dog would be a better president than Bill (but then my dog is neutered).
I have to disagree with you, but I have to admit the
"Sister Even" part was very clever. I got a kick out of that.
Obama supporters really need to calm down.  Apparently it is going to the convention.  I personally hope Obama falls flat.  He states what "change" the country needs but he is lacking on the "how" to do it.  All talk is worthless without a detailed plan.  He has not provided one - at all.
What is wrong with those of you who think it's cute to attack Chelsea Clinton? She's on the campaign trail answering questions about her mother's policy proposals. It has been reported that she is quite knowledgeable in this area. Why does that make it all right for her to be asked questions about her parents' private lives? The young man may, in fact, be a Hillary supporter, but the question was rude and had nothing to do with policy. Questions like this are probably one of the reasons she doesn't do interviews...too many people looking for the gotcha moment.
It seams like for the Hillary campaign, if she wins PA. she'll be the next president.
First of all three comments :1)I hope Chelsea runs for president, She cant even answer tough questions now.2)We should vote for Hillary since she has been thinking of ways to help america since college,No She was thinking of ways to get into politics while in college. Read her thesis on Alinsky.You will see she has modeled her campaign after his style of Chicago politics. Trying to rub the sores of emotion raw with untrue rhetoric.3) I have to bring this one back up it was said the other day. Is it just me or is Chelsea  a special needs patient I mean really .Dont ask her any tough questions Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez.
Why should the Democrats nominate Obama when he's got SERIOUS PROBLEMS with ethnic white males, Hispanics, Jews, and older white females?  
It wouldn't take a saint to be better than Bill. This is especially true when you consider the fact Bill is an ex-con, convicted of lying to a grand jury and perjury and stripped of his right to practice law. I'll never forget: "I did not have sex with that woman  -Ms. Lewinsky. Nor, "it depends on what the meaning of is is."

On the other hand, Hillary has demonstrated that she too is an accomplished liar, even a more detailed liar than Bill. Just mention Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Schip and the lies come pouring out of Hillary's mouth. I am beginning to wonder about the probity of Chelsea also, she was in Bosnia and when Hillary was spewing all those lies she was complicit by her silence. I hope the exposure to two such accomplished liars does not have a permanent deleterious effect on Chelsea.
Hillary doesn't need to drop out, it's just that she shouldn't do such desperate things to stay in.  She is providing McCain with sound bites for the General election.  She should focus on her real abilities and experiences and not look like she's willing to scorch the earth in order to win.  That would be more presidential.
Maybe Hilary can say "that's not your business" when someone asks her a relevant question.  Afraid your answer on the Monica question was not only rehearsed but expected and dumb, dumb, dumb!  We already know that the Clinton marriage was on the rocks, what we don't know is how your mother will handle future country crisis situations.  You could have answered the question but instead you chose to demean and humiliate the questioner with your holier than thou answer; if Hilary wasn't running for president on a campaign of "I'm better than Obama, just let me tell you all about everything bad I've ever heard about him" maybe it wouldn't be our business missy.  But since she's made it her business to shy away from the relevant issues where Obama is concerned with her "well, he's not Muslim as far as I know" then you should expect a little of the same back.  It wasn't from him, after all, it was from a Hilary supporter who you demonized for even asking, instead of being gracious and trying to explain that you didn't think it played into the whole big picture.  You acted like your mother, arrogant and all knowing.  I will not vote for Hilary, and quite frankly I don't see how anyone who listens to her could. She is rapacious and greedy and has lied over and over about her "under sniper fire" Bosnia experience, just to name one thing about her that is disgusting.  Obama has proved time and again that he is so far above her in character and that he has all of our best interests at heart, not just his own aspirations.  Hilary needs to go away before the Democratic pary has exploded from all of the corrupt crap that she brings to it.  
Chelsea For President!!!!!! As soon as she's old enough..
Jack:
"Why should the Democrats nominate Obama when he's got SERIOUS PROBLEMS with ethnic white males, Hispanics, Jews, and older white females?"

A) Because he is actually wining.
B) Because Hillary has SERIOUS PROBLEMS with "non-ethnic(?)" white males, blacks, young white females (in fact all voters under the age of 40), independents, and college educated voters.
Homer Simpson would be a better president than Bill Clinton
Chelsea - are you going to do a real interview with the media?  (or will the media play softball with the Clintos?)
Barack Husein Obama promises empty dreams and change, unless of course it's increasing taxes then that's real.  Hillary will lie and cheat to get her way and it looks like daughter has not fallen far from the tree.  What a threesom!!!!! (Mom, Dad, Daughter)


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