Chelsea Clinton: I Don't Talk To The Press

Even Turns Down Request From Nine-Year-Old Reporter During Event In Iowa

(AP)  It's one thing for Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign to turn down interview requests for the candidate's daughter, Chelsea. But can't a 9-year old reporter catch a break?

Sydney Rieckhoff, 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?" Sydney 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.

Tall and attractive, Chelsea cuts an impressive figure on the campaign trail; she plunges enthusiastically into the crowd after her mother's speeches, shaking hands and posing for pictures while asking, "Are you going to caucus for my mom?"

But onstage, Chelsea never speaks; she stands next to her mother and applauds but utters not a single sentence and doesn't even say hello. And reporters covering the campaign have been put on notice that Chelsea is not available to speak to them. An aide follows the former first daughter as she works the crowd, shushing reporters who approach her and try to ask any questions.

Famously protective of their daughter's privacy, Bill and Hillary Clinton have taken pains to shield Chelsea from the harsh glare and rough edges of presidential politics. She stayed largely absent from her mother's campaign until December, when she made her first visit to Iowa.

For her part, Sydney looked a bit crestfallen after Chelsea turned her away. But luckily for Hillary Clinton, Sydney's mother has made up her mind to caucus for the former first lady.

"I like her position on family values and health care. And I think it's time we have a female president," Robyn Rieckhoff said.

[mike71067]

Q: Why does Hillary take Chelsea with her on all her campaign trips?

A: Because she''s too ugly to kiss goodbye.

[formrusmcsgt]

"I''m sorry, I don''t talk to the press..."

Too bad mom doesn''t have the same policy....

[oleander8]

"Famously protective of their daughter''s privacy..."

I applaud their decisions that have allowed this young lady to have as private a life as possible.

[allunknowing]

...and the press doesn''t talk to you.

[idlepugilist]

My goodness, this is earth-shattering news. The fate of the world lies in the whim of a 9-year old wanting to interview the Daughter of a candidate? Nobody cared what Bush''s party daughters were doing in the run up to George''s landslide (cough), this is just fodder for conservative locker-room jockeys to make jokes about appearance.

[mike71067]

"I like her position on family values and health care. And I think it''s time we have a female president"

That''s what scares me. The notion that some women may vote for her simply because she''s a woman. NOTICE: Just because you want a woman in the White House, doesn''t mean that it has to be THIS woman.

[prinzowhales]

If you are "protective of your daughter''s privacy" you don''t flaunt her on the campaign trail...what Hillary is "protective" of is her own worthless political hindquarters...the last time little Miss Chelsea opened her yap to say anything of significance it was to tell a uniformed colonel that "her family didn''t like the military" when she didn''t want him riding in a motorcade with her.

Aside from Kucinich and Gravel, the Democrats really had to clean out the stables to find this prize bunch of contenders...One recalls the simpler years when Kerry''s shrew was the most talked about member of a presidential hopefull''s family.

[gunownerdan]

Hitlery is a warmongering megalomaniac.
She''s a fascist neocon just like Bush and Cheney.

[hungry1968]

Q: Why does Hillary take Chelsea with her on all her campaign trips?

A: Because she''''s too ugly to kiss goodbye.

Posted by mike71067 at 09:51 AM : Dec 31, 2007



So if she was more like the coke sniffing, bar hopping, non-working, alcoholic wh`or`es, like Jenna and Barbara Bush, you''d have a much more favorable opinion of her?

[runningralph]

mike71067,
Chelsea''s not ugly. She had plastic surgery. She looks pretty good now. What I''m curious about is what happened to the six-figure job she had with the British publisher? Shouldn''t she be at work earning her six figures instead riding around on the campaign trail? She''s very intelligent and has a liberal bent. I wish I could meet her. Unfortunately, I''m a poor conservative working man. Never the twain shall meet.

[hungry1968]

My goodness, this is earth-shattering news. The fate of the world lies in the whim of a 9-year old wanting to interview the Daughter of a candidate? Nobody cared what Bush''''s party daughters were doing in the run up to George''''s landslide (cough), this is just fodder for conservative locker-room jockeys to make jokes about appearance.

Posted by IdlePugilist at 10:04 AM : Dec 31, 2007



The way it works in Washington, the one with the 9 year old mentality is typically the one being asked the question.

The question usually starts, "Mr. President..."

[demwatcher]

No doubt that she still has post-traunmatic stress disorder from when her ''brilliant'' mother took her to Bosnia and they had to dodge snipers while running across the tarmac.

Don''t believe it?

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-usside315521015dec31,0,5515440.story

Well, Hillary is using it in her campaign to show that she is used to facing danger.

She is used to being STUPID, more like. Who in their RIGHT FRIGGING MIND brings their CHILD to a warzone?

That was BILL''S war, ya know. A fine piece of failed diplomacy indeed.

Yeah Libs, Hillary is just oozing with experience, bravery, and intellectual insights.

Open your eyes people! Hillary is a FAKE!

Poor old Democrats pining for the good ole days of Bill.

It is a crying SHAME that President Bush STOLE that nasty old 2,000 elections from your boy Gore. Boo friggin hoo!

[justsane-2009]

good for her

[idlepugilist]

runningralph, Chelsea apparently took time away from her job with the publisher, who was probably tired of chasing down stories about Bush''s party daughters. But that''s ok, nobody cares. Even stories about George''s daughters getting drunk was more interesting than this cow plop, and that isn''t saying much.

[idlepugilist]

DemWatcher, who in their right friggin mind brings America into an unprecedented war with an artillary of fabrications and coerced support by cabinet members to sell a war to Americans who don''t want it? You won''t hear Colin Powell these days talking about how brilliant George was. In fact, outside of your cozy room at home (or are you posting this tripe from work?), nobody is talking about how brilliant George is.

[newz4i]

I see the limbaughtimized intelligentsia is attacking Chelsea Clinton ... again.

They go after people suffering from Parkinson''s, kids who survived car wrecks. Sick minds seek sick entertainment fed to them five days a week.

[mcvet]

Yeah Libs, Hillary is just oozing with experience, bravery, and intellectual insights.

Open your eyes people! Hillary is a FAKE!

Poor old Democrats pining for the good ole days of Bill.

It is a crying SHAME that President Bush STOLE that nasty old 2,000 elections from your boy Gore. Boo friggin hoo!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by DemWatcher at 10:30 AM : Dec 31, 2007
+ report abuse

I gotta say you Nazi''s really enjoy getting put down don''t you? The Freaks who gave us GEORGE W. Bush is again trying to tell us who can best lead this nation! ROFLMAO I''ll bet you still think Rummy and Brownie are the best people for the job now don''t you swastika breath? ROFLMAO You losers are pathetic!! Absolutely PATHETIC!! ROFLMAO Sieg Heil Bush!! Come on Sparky...let''s hear it for the Fuhrer!! SIEG HEIL! Heil BUSH!! Good little Bootlicker...you get a badge for that! ROFLMAO

[rowdytexan2]

If the young lady doesn''t want to talk to the press, I dont'' really blame her.

If HIllary wins the presidency and doesn''t do a thing for the next eight years, she''ll still be a better president than George Walker BUSH!

However, if she wins, I think the world is going to be sorely surprised at the good work that will get done by her administration.

She''s a fighter and a scrapper, and wants good things for and of the people! And for this country! She ALWAYS has!

Those of you who want to align her with the Neocons are nothing but propaganda hustlers! What better way to try to discredit her.

Rather have a panzy fake like Edwards? Or a trainee like Obama?

No, I won''t vote for her just because she''s a woman, but because she''s got more guts and fortitude than any male I see out there!

[hawksprings]

Rowdy, Rowdy, Rowdy,
You poor Texas Hick.
Hillary would be a disaster of a president.
Her old secret healthcare committee shows what kind of government she would run.
Her cattle futures bribe shows what kind of government she would run.
Her "vast right wing conspiracy" comment shows what a paranoid government she would run.
Her massive temper and pettiness shows what kind of government she would run.
Vince Foster''s ''suicide note'' tells you what kind of government she would run.

Doesn''t her old advisors leaving her for Obama tell you anything?
We don''t want Hillary for president.

[element51]

mike71067....You certainly have the right to hate the Clintons. You have the right to be critical of their politics. You have the right to post anything you want about any of the other democratic candidates. But why do you think it''s OK to post a lame joke about Chelsea? What has she done to you? This kid has always conducted herself with dignity and grace, quite unlike Bushes little bar hopping coke sniffing twits. Your post is typical of a dimwitted republican who has to resort to personal attacks simply because they are not intelligent enough to discuss the real issues. Be sure to tune in to the great Rush today since he might have a new one for you to use.

[global_chick]

Mommy and Daddy still control her...

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by hawksprings at 11:08 AM : Dec 31, 2007

You need to get over your old rumor syndrome sir. Didn''t work then, and doesn''t now.

Don''t know who you mean by ''we'', except yourself.

I''d rather be a fencepost in Texas anyday than a mighty oak anywhere else, thanks :)

[hwy71so]

"I see the limbaughtimized intelligentsia is attacking Chelsea Clinton ... again.

They go after people suffering from Parkinson''''s, kids who survived car wrecks. Sick minds seek sick entertainment fed to them five days a week.

Posted by newz4i at 10:55 AM : Dec 31, 2007"

And the Democrats view the Inquirer and Globe as required reading.

[hawksprings]

Rowdy,
What rumors are you talking about?
Was her secret heath care committee a rumor? No.
Was her $100,000 cattle futures windfall a rumor? No.
Was her comment about a ''vast right wing conspiracy'' a rumor? No.
Is her temper and pettiness a rumor? Read DeeDee Myers, George Stephonopolous, and *** Morris'' comments about that.
Was Vince Foster''s ''suicide note'' saying "No one will believe the innocence of the Clintons" a rumor? No.

What rumors are you talking about? You might want to be a fence post in Texas, but you don''t have to have the IQ of one. Hillary is not presidential material.

[element51]

hawksprings...There you go again. The same old ***** that we have heard over and over. Taking you points one at a time...1.Unless you can see into the future you have no way of knowing what kind of president Hillary will be. 2.The simple fact that she will even TRY to get some sort of health care passed says a lot. 3.Was she charged and convicted of a crime concerning cattle futures? 4. I know you listen to right wing radio...if that isn'' a conspiracy I don''t know what is. 5.Are you saying that Bush doesn''t have a temper and isn''t petty? 6. The Vince Foster suicide was investigated and no wrong doing was uncovered. Don''t vote for her if you hate her so much. Vote for someone like Rudy who is as pure as the driven snow.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by hawksprings at 11:24 AM : Dec 31, 2007

Like I said ''old rumor'' syndrome, can you not READ?

Does attacking me and IQ make you the big man on campus or something?

Get over yourself!

[im4honesty]

You go Chelsea!!! First two-time "FIRST DAUGHTER" in history.

[prinzowhales]

Hillary has the most campaign donations from the Merchants of Death than any other candidate...Why do defense contractors like her so much?--She is going to keep the war going! Why is the Bush White House giving her advice on how not to talk herself into a corner on getting out of Iraq?--Because she has no intention of withdrawing from Iraq!

Clinton, like all of the War Pig candidates...that is, ALL of the candidates other than Paul, Kucinich and Gravel...plan to keep the War for Resources going strong........They just don''t want their supporters to know it.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by Prinzowhales at 11:29 AM : Dec 31, 2007

Sorry, but I still think that is a myth dreamed up by the Neocons to discredit her. I even read those articles put out by those internet rags and still don''t find any justification these accusations.

The defense contractors are going to get contracts no matter who is president. If they gave her more money than others, it''s pro''bly because they think she can win.

Hillary and every other candidate on that stage knows the Iraq was has to end. It has all but bankrupted our future. And I trust her as much or MORE than anybody else to end it.

[gmam1987]

"Famously protective of their daughter" my ***! Then why is Hillary parading Chelsea around like a prize heifer? During the Monica episode they used her for photo ops all the time. When the story broke, remember the photo of her on the White House lawn holding hands with Mom and Dad while being strategically placed between them. The talking heads ate it up with a spoon ("It''s like she''s trying to hold them together"). What BS. I guess the little princess is to good to speak to the unwashed masses.

[element51]

RowdyTexan2...I was going to continue to post on this subject but given the fact that these bozos have nothing to do but post rumors and insults I''m gonna take a nap. They don''t want to discus our differences in a civilized way, they don''t know how. So, keep up the good fight and know I''m with you in spitir.

[gmam1987]

4honesty, I believe Margaret Truman was a two-term first daughter before Chelsea was. Not two complete terms, but two nonetheless.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by Element51 at 11:48 AM : Dec 31, 2007

OK, Element, enjoy your nap, and thanks!

[newz4i]

Sorry, Posted by Hwy71So at 11:18 AM, the Inquirer and Globe are the origin of FOX Tabloid Entertainment, fodder for limbaughtimized minds.

[garciagar]

Bush, the worst president in the history of the world. Nobody can surpass his stupidity. Hillary is the "Man." Two for the price of one. Eight years on the job experience. Good looking, extremenly intelligent beyond the ordinary.

You want a better America, vote for Hillary!

[prinzowhales]

Happy New Year, Rowdy Texan2!--Here''s an article from the INDEPENDENT on just how much support she is getting from the Establishment that backed Bush:

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article3075691.ece

...they ain''t Neo Cons.

[jowand]

Two for the price of one. Eight years on the job experience. Good looking, extremenly intelligent beyond the ordinary.

You want a better America, vote for Hillary!
Posted by garciagar at 12:00 PM : Dec 31, 2007

Yup she is in the Twighlight Zone with you

[infidel_us]

''Chelsea Clinton: I Don''t Talk To The Press''

Too bad her parents don''t do likewise

[rowdytexan2]

"Mrs Clinton has been a regular visitor to Iraq and Afghanistan and is careful to focus her criticisms of the Iraq war on President Bush, rather than the military. The arms industry has duly taken note."

"Arms industry profits are so heavily dependent on government contracts that companies in this field want to be sure they do not have hostile relations with the White House," added Mr Edsall."

Good grief, Prinz, what in the world makes you see in these words that Hillary Clinton is a Neocon?

This country is going to have to have a strong defense! These companies evidently have a strong belief that she can win! And they want to make sure they have a good relationship with her if she does!

This in NO WAY indicates that she is promoting the war, and she has always been critical of the Bush administration and Neocon regime.

She CAN''T rule out anything to do with Iran as long as Mr. Bush is in office and beating the tom toms of war. We have no idea what he is going to lead us into in the meantime. The bill she voted for ALSO said, after all diplomatic efforts are exhausted! She has stated her position very clearly on this issue.

Exactly what are you trying to read into this article that is clearly NOT there?

[erasmus6]

"That''''s what scares me. The notion that some women may vote for her simply because she''''s a woman. NOTICE: Just because you want a woman in the White House, doesn''''t mean that it has to be THIS woman." posted by mike71067

Yeah? Well what scares me is that men won''t vote for her just because she is a woman.

I know this might be hard for a mere male to figure out but women do have a brain. In fact their brain can function from BOTH sides. And if women are voting for a woman then maybe it is because they know that a woman is more likely to think about things like FAMILY, HEALTHCARE etc. rather than WAR, POWER AND GREED.

And if they are voting for HILLARY it is because they LIKE Hillary and think she will do a good job. Afterall we have all seen what men can do, it is time to see what the RIGHT woman can do.

Hillary, if by some fluke you don''t make it in the U.S., come to Canada, you will get in in a heartbeat.

A 27 year old on the campaign trail for her mom was given some pretty smart advice. The less she says, the less likely someone from the news media will take it out of context like most of them do.

[erasmus6]

Now on the subject of Chelsea. Why on earth would she want to talk to ANY press? The press has been absolutely CRUEL to her. They have attacked her personally, calling her ugly etc. They do nothing but twist and turn everything that people say. I am glad to see she has a brain like her mother.

THe Clintons are lawyers, so why should we believe anything they say, since most lawyers lie for a living.

[excoachken]

How insulting to have a 27 year old college graduate "muzzled" by her parents. The people deserve answers from an adult family member. She is not a 10 year old.

[excoachken]

To Erasmus: How can we tell if she has a brain, since she must play a mute to get past the tough questions?

[inbredwhty]

Very Smart Woman...

[gunownerdan]

Why are people too blind to see that Bush and Clinton are very close friends who are working together to destroy America?

[erasmus6]

"Why are people too blind to see that Bush and Clinton are very close friends who are working together to destroy America?" posted by gunownerdan

Your paranoia is showing.

The only reason you don''t want Hillary in there is because it sends you into a panic that she might take away your itty bitty guns.

[erasmus6]

"To Erasmus: How can we tell if she has a brain, since she must play a mute to get past the tough questions?" posted by exCoachKen

Hello!? I already told you. You can tell she has a brain because she has enough sense to keep her mouth shut in front of the media. She knows that no matter what she says it will be twisted and turned and she knows that she will be attacked personally.

Only a dumb**** would speak to the press after what they have put her through.

[nuffera]

She is very smart to keep her mouth shut.I remember when the druggie Limbaugh labeled her the white house dog. But as we know the press will still go after her. I admire her tenacity. She is damned if she does and damned if she doesn''t.