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December 31, 2007

Chelsea dodges questions from 9 year old Scholastic reporter

By Thomas Lifson

Media-savvy Chelsea Clinton is campaigning for her mother in Iowa, and has obviously received guidance on handling the media: don't answer any questions. Newsday reports:

Sydney Rieckoff, a Cedar Rapids fourth grader and "kid reporter" for Scholastic News, has posed questions to seven Republican and Democratic presidential hopefuls as they've campaigned across Iowa this year. But when she approached the 27-year-old Chelsea after a campaign event Sunday, she got a different response.

"Do you think your dad would be a good 'first man' in the White House?" Rieckoff asked, but Chelsea brushed her question aside.

"I'm sorry, I don't talk to the press and that applies to you, unfortunately. Even though I think you're cute," Chelsea told the pint-sized journalist.

Such is the paradox of Chelsea as she campaigns across Iowa in the closing days before the state's caucuses Jan. 3.
I have long assumed that the Clintons no less than the Kennedys or Bushes, intend to establish a multi-generational political dynasty, and poor Chelsea will bear the burden of these dreams. She appears to be conscientiously doing what her parents and their helpers tell her. But you can't help feeling sorry for her.

Somebody please tell the Clintons that being afraid of media scrutiny from a nine year old just looks weird.

Hat tip: Jack Kemp (not the politician)