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Home » News » Story View ong>Clinton daughter visits Weber State in pursuit of youth vote for her mother

OGDEN -- As part of a nationwide effort to get younger voters to support her mother, Chelsea Clinton answered questions from Weber State University students on Tuesday.

More than 600 people showed up to see the former first daughter, overflowing Weber's Student Union ballroom, which was originally set up for only 375, according to event coordinators.

"It's amazing that everyone came out in this weather," said Emily Hawkins, 29, director of youth voter outreach program for Hillary Clinton's campaign. "We're really excited about the turnout."

For over an hour, the soft-spoken and articulate Chelsea fielded questions from the audience about Hillary's stance on health care reform, economic stimulus, Social Security, the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, immigration, campaign finance reform and education.

On the personal side, Chelsea divulged that her mother is an avid fan of the hit television show "Grey's Anatomy," as well as a dedicated parent. During Bill Clinton's presidential campaigns, Chelsea said there were only three nights that she did not have one or both parents at home. Despite the hectic schedule, she said, the Clintons spent every Sunday as a family.

When asked how she deals with the perception that Hillary is calculating, Chelsea said her mother's ability to plan pragmatically is not a negative aspect of her personality.

"After this administration, I want a president who is calculating," she said to loud applause.

Chelsea mentioned several times during the evening that she is 27 years old. As younger voters are showing up in stronger numbers this year, campaigning at universities has become increasingly important, Hawkins said.

"We have a lot to lose and a lot to gain," she said. "We have always been an important demographic, but we're turning out in higher numbers now."

Campaign volunteers for Clinton's democratic rival, Barack Obama, had a stand with information and stickers outside the doors of the event. They said they liked Clinton, but believed that more Utah students support Obama instead.

"I think Obama is going to win in Utah," said Joel Freston, a sophomore majoring in political science. "I think it's going to be like it was in South Carolina and in Iowa. He's going to win big with the youth, the people who want change the most."

It was pleasing to see such a strong showing of students on a campus that he described as very conservative, but it wasn't indicative of any strong support for Clinton in particular, he said.

"The reason people are here is because they want to see Chelsea," Freston said. "It's not a boost for Clinton. They just want to see a semi-celebrity."

He added that was part of his motivation as well.

Chelsea, who earlier in the day had appeared at a similar event at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, closed her remarks with an appeal to students. She said experts are expecting younger voters to turn out in record numbers this election.

"On this, at least, prove the pundits right," she said.

For the next half hour, Chelsea mingled with the crowd, posing for pictures and signing autographs. Hawkins said despite the poor weather and crowded schedule, the trip up to Ogden was well worth the drive.

"We thought it was important to get out of Salt Lake City," she said. "We wanted to get out of the metro areas and talk with people."

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