Chelsea's still having fun now that there's no more campaign partying (at least until Senator Obama announces his veep choice.) She's been chilling in black tie with Mr. and Mrs. Fresh Prince, for example, even though Will Smith called Obama last December to sign up for the winning team in the Democratic race. Guess you have to forgive and forget fast when you're a First Daughter wannabe.
Speaking in Texas the day before her mother's big announcement, Chelsea spilled the beans: "My mom will be making a speech tomorrow supporting Senator Obama," she said. But is she pulling out of the public eye again and heading straight back to Manhattan? Doesn't seem like it. Here's what a Dallas Morning News blogger at the event scribbled in his notebook:
"We know that our work has just begun ... reaching out and registering more voters in November, more democratic voters, we know we need to be talking to be people about what is at stake, and all the reasons we're here... We have to elect Democrats across Texas, like Rick Noriega, and why we have to elect Democrats across our country, turn Texas blue and take back the White House."Sounds like Chelsea might be stumping for her party until November -- whether or not her Mom is the veep candidate.
I'm wondering if Soren is with Chelsea as she visits Montana, a state with extensive hiking possibilities. Maybe tiny New York dogs prefer peeing on sidewalks and fire hydrants. Chelsea's still campaigning hard for her mom, and bloggers everywhere pounced on her Dad's hint in People that she might run for office herself someday. And, wow, can that girl dance:
When you're an ex and wannabe First Daughter at the same time, even what you buy at a quick grocery store stop makes the news. The Eugene Register-Guard gives us the shopping list (along with a gorgeous photo of Chelsea):
Clinton emerged Monday from a white stretch Ford Suburban SUV, wearing jeans and a white jacket ... Accompanied by her chief of staff, Bari Lurie, the 28-year-old Clinton first picked out two green apples from the produce aisle. Then she loaded up on pretzels, popcorn, a dozen cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, Special K bars and, in a seemingly impulsive purchase, a large plastic jar of nuts-and-M&Ms trail mix ...
Clinton placed two 12-packs of soda under her arm (Mountain Dew and Diet Coke) and found her way to the checkout line. She paid in cash.
“This is like our royalty,” marveled Mary Linn, a Fred Meyer pharmacy technician who joined co-workers watching Clinton at the checkout line. “OK guys, she’s normal: She’s getting chocolate,” Linn said.
Chelsea Clinton wished all mothers a Happy Mother's Day via YouTube, telling them that their daughters can become the "second woman President."
Appropriately, but strikingly, there was no sign or mention of daddy in the video.
Check out Chelsea Clinton's Kentucky Derby outfit -- light blue, summery, cool, and chic, but it's eerie how much she's a mini-Mommy in the photo.
When you're on the campaign trail with your Mom, along with picking up mulch with a pitchfork, petting snakes, and putting on a fancy hat for the Kentucky Derby, you celebrate Mother's Day in a very public way:
Chelsea's been stumping hard on college campuses like Duke and Swarthmore, and people are talking about the power of a daughter's voice convincing voters that Mom would make a much better president than Dad.
Liz Crokin of the Chicago Tribune asked Chelsea why she doesn't talk to the press, and here's the answer:
When you hit the campaign trail for your parent, you're going to face people who put you on the spot. Chelsea's response to one tricky question has been something like, "Respectfully, sir, that's not your business." Now she's getting some heat for that answer:
I've been brainstorming other options for her. Hey, Chelsea, do you like any of these?
"Nice. That's the third time I've been asked that question, and it's baseball season. You'll have to ask my parents that one, sir. Next?"
"Thanks. I'm not sure I know the right answer, but I'll think about it."
"Good for you. Now I know I'll make the news tomorrow. More buzz for Mom."
"My mother's strength and grace through tough times is another reason why I'm voting for her. And you should, too."
In North Carolina, Chelsea Clinton criticized President Bush and fended off another Lewinsky question. Meanwhile in Mississippi, Meghan McCain schmoozed with actress Sela Ward and the amazing Blue Angel pilots. Different styles, definitely.
Glenn Thrush of Newsday reports that when someone in Indianapolis asked whether the Lewinsky scandal had damaged her mother's credibility, Chelsea, who's always so nice, set some clear boundaries:
"Wow, you're the first person actually that's ever asked me that question in the, I don't know maybe, 70 college campuses I've now been to, and I do not think that is any of your business," she said before taking another question.Was she ready with the answer in case that name ever came up? Or was she that much in control on the spur of the moment? Anyway, good for her -- in this country, everybody's got the right to take the fifth.
Our favorite First Daughter re-wannabe and her Dad are heading to Indiana to celebrate Dyngus Day. Anybody outside Indiana know what that is? No, it's got nothing to do with those dingy piles of old snow we still have to step over in some parts of the country. On Easter Monday, South Bendians (correct me if that's not what they like to be called) remember when Christianity first came to Poland and mingle with the politicians.
People notice a First Daughter wannabe's fashion decisions, even what she's clutching as she makes her way through the crowd. Apparently, Chelsea's a fan of these eco-bags (good for the earth but still pricey), so keep an eye out for fake ones at Walmart. And fashionistas are also starting to imitate Chelsea's signature top-two-buttoned-cardigan-over-untucked-fitted-blouse look.
Or is Miss Clinton actually having fun schmoozing through the crowd, signing autographs, and making small talk? I think she is, but decide for yourself:
It's hard enough to be dragged into the limelight because your parents are famous. But what happens when your Mom or Dad makes a huge mistake and has to confess it publicly? Parental penitence is another thing that Chelsea Clinton and the McCain kids have in common.
Chelsea's Dad's secret relationship with a White House intern made international headlines for months and months. And when Meghan was 10, Jack 8, Jimmy 6, and Bridget 3, their Mom admitted to the world that she'd been addicted to painkillers when Jimmy was a year old, after two back surgeries for ruptured discs, and that she'd stolen drugs from a charity she founded, the American Voluntary Medical Team.
Fast forward to 2008. Chelsea's parents are still married, and I can see the forgiveness in their family. Can't you? Cindy McCain talks freely about addiction, healing, and grace, and her children adore her. Both Bill Clinton and Cindy McCain have a shot at First Spousedom, which tells me that America's a country of second chances. And also that kids make fantastic forgivers when parents admit they blew it and face the consequences with courage.
Photo Source: Daniella Zalcman via Creative Commons.
Some people think that Chelsea's very public stumping in Ohio made a big difference in her Mom's win:
Highlighting their strong mother-daughter relationship showed a much softer side of the Clinton family. Chelsea was all over Ohio and got a lot of media coverage referring to Hillary as "my mom." During the debates, the camera would cut away to this beautiful young woman smiling supportively at her mother.Meanwhile, Meghan McCain hung out with First Daughter Jenna Bush at the White House, bringing along their mothers for company. Hey, how come Bridget missed that meal, too? She adores her candidating parent, just like Meghan and Chelsea. WE WANT BRIDGET! WE WANT BRIDGET!
After her Mom won the primaries in Texas, Ohio, and Rhode Island, Chelsea Clinton continued her hard-working town-hall policy discussions about lightbulbs, hate crimes, and Iraq, this time in Pennsylvania.
Meghan McCain, whose Dad clinched the nomination, posted before and after photos of her mother's feet, showed us the family's hugs and kisses, shared the balloons and confetti, and made a promise of her own:
We'll be blogging, posting, taking pics, filiming video, and wreaking havoc on the traveling press right up until election day in November.
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