Chelsea Clinton Breaks the Big News

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.

Three Cheers for Chelsea Clinton!

Photo courtesy of Travelin' Librarian via Creative Commons
With her Mother's loss to Barack Obama in a close Democratic race, Chelsea Clinton heads back to a Manhattan apartment, a tiny dog, an understanding boyfriend, and a high-pressure hedge fund job.

The strongest weapon in her mother's campaign was her loyal endorsement: "My Mom would change things ... My Mom cares ... My Mom would be the best President ever!" Would have, could have, might still be in the running for Veep, Chelsea. Anyway, you did great, and we'll miss you on the trail.

Chelsea Hopes To Be A Mommy ...

... not President. But she wants her Mommy to be President:

Chelsea Clinton in Big Sky Country

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:

Chelsea Makes Headlines For Mountain Dew

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's Mother's Day Message

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.

Nice Hat, Chelsea!

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.

Chelsea's Mother's Day Bash

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:

Soren and Chelsea Clinton Celebrate

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.

After Senator Clinton's win in the Pennsylvania primary, the tireless First Daughter re-wannabe might take a break, heading back to her apartment in Manhattan with her Yorkshire Terrier (named after Danish philosopher Soren Kirkegard), and spending time with her boyfriend Marc Mezvinsky (who's a political kid of a powerful Mom himself -- Marjorie Margolies Mezvinsky was a congresswoman from Pennsylvania). Marc's the one who gave Soren to Chelsea, by the way.

Photo Source: cpurrin1 via Creative Commons

Why Chelsea Clinton Doesn't Talk To Reporters

Liz Crokin of the Chicago Tribune asked Chelsea why she doesn't talk to the press, and here's the answer:

Chelsea Clinton and the Lewinsky Questions

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."

Chelsea and Meghan Head South

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.

Chelsea Clinton Draws The Line

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.

Photo courtesy of Travelin' Librarian via Creative Commons.

Chelsea Brings Dad To Hoosier Country

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.

Chelsea's A Trend Setter

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.

Hill-Ary-Ous: To SNL and Beyond

Not only is Senator Clinton getting the mainstream buzz for showing up on NBC's Saturday Night Live after they completely hazed her, but she also made people laugh on the Tonight Show:



Now that's clever campaigning in a country that seems to need to giggle more than ever, and wants a leader who can poke fun at himself/herself. Good timing, too -- just before the BIG primaries tomorrow.

Chelsea's Boyfriend and Grey's Anatomy

Lloyd Grove of New York Magazine takes a look at Chelsea's emerging role as a campaign powerhouse, noticing how easily she can poke fun at herself while at the same time making her parents seem more human:

“Well,” Chelsea said. “I will tell you that, like so many Americans and so many of my friends, she is completely obsessed with Grey’s Anatomy. And a few years ago, I was sitting at dinner with my boyfriend and my parents—it was my parents’ anniversary—and I noticed that it was 8:40 Sunday night and both my parents were looking very nervously at their watches. Finally I said, ‘Look, am I really that boring?’ I know we’ve established that I’m a numbers dork and work in finance—I’m sure I was prattling on about something. But there’s only one of me. And finally they both confessed that they had to get home to watch Grey’s Anatomy. So then my boyfriend—quietly, calculatingly—explained about TiVo. And TiVo henceforth saved many family dinners.”

That, of course, was a different boyfriend, but Grove brings you up to speed on Chelsea's current love life if you're curious. I thought the most interesting paragraph in the article was how she interacted with Grove on the campaign trail, revealing what might be a kid in the limelight's lifelong aversion to the press.

One Sec, Bill Clinton's Texting Me

... or at least calling on the cell. And guess what? Chelsea wants to get together one-on-one. John Kerry rang up to talk about the weather. And I've got exams next week.

That's the real-life whine of 21-year-old Jason Rae in Wisconsin, one of 796 free agent super delegates who can pick their own candidate at the Democratic convention. Senator Kerry really called Jaason to stump for Obama. Mrs. Clinton wants Jason's vote, too, so Chelsea treated the college junior to breakfast, and Bill chatted him up:

Rae was about to head out to dinner with friends when his phone rang and the screen said, "Number withheld." The voice on the other end said: "Please hold for the former president" and then a familiar voice said "Hey Jason, it's Bill here."

"I started to think, is this real? I am a junior in college and Bill Clinton is talking to me?" Rae said as he recalled the phone call.

Clinton talked about Hillary Clinton's electability and gave Rae an update on how things were looking on the ground in South Carolina. He then regaled Rae with stories about his travels to Wisconsin as president and the cities he visited during that time.

If you're confused about why such a young dude has so much power in this election, don't worry. Most of us don't get how we elect a President -- it's complicated. Get the scoop on delegates, super delegates, and the conventions, find out how the electoral college works, and keep track of how the delegates are voting so far here. 

Photo Source: Brent Danley via Creative Commons

Chelsea's Mom Ticked Off At MSNBC

Mrs. Clinton's threatening to pull out of a debate on MSNBC because of a comment made by a reporter about Chelsea. I think some of the problem might be language -- kids in high school and college use that turn of phrase with each other and it doesn't always have a negative take. MTV's even got a show called "Pimp My Ride."

The reporter was too hip for his own good, and he got suspended, reminding us that the press isn't really free when it comes to the candidates' kids. Trashing the daughters is totally verboten, although the Romney brothers got kicked around quite a bit, and no self-respecting journalist would put down a kid under eighteen.

People surfing the web, though, aren't as inhibited. Visitors to sparrowblog search for all kinds of phrases, some of which tick ME off. I don't want anybody ending up here after searching for disgusting adjectives or put-downs. You know who you are. Now scat.

Tired on the Trail

This long, exhausting campaign's getting stranger by the minute.

According to Peter Nicholas, Seema Mehta and Maeve Reston of the Los Angeles Times, Josh Romney's taken to surfing his dad's campaign signs down the aisles of jet planes.

Bridget McCain's Mom misses her, the dogs, and hiking so badly she's taking a day off and heading back to Arizona.

Hilary Clinton's addicted to big mugs of tea, Janet Huckabee's starting to rap, and Ann Romney's hugging Michelle Obama every time they see each other. 

And it's not just the candidates and their families who are getting loopy; the journalists covering them can't see straight either. Think of the money Starbucks is making on double-shot ventis sold to these sleep-deprived people, and it's only February.

Happy Super Tuesday, America!