 "Photo: Courtesy of HillaryClinton.com")
From general questions concerning her mother's policies, to more personal questions about being raised by a former president and a presidential hopeful - Chelsea Clinton encouraged both university students and members of the Delaware community to ask whatever might be on their minds on Feb. 4 in the Trabant University Center.
The event was organized by the Hillblazers, which, according to their Web site was originally a group of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) supporters based in New York with the goal of raising money for Clinton's campaign, which has since evolved into a social networking program now aimed at hosting fundraisers, happy hours, and other social activities.
This past month, as part of the Hillblazers' Our Voice, Our Future tour, the representative of Hillblazers and Chelsea Clinton herself have been touring the country, stopping by many colleges so Clinton could speak with the students herself.
Clinton fielded a wide array of questions from event attendees while promoting her mother with full force.
"I do believe this is the most important election of my lifetime, and I really believe in my mom," Clinton said. "I just couldn't imagine not trying to reach out to people and to talk about why I believe in her, and to answer people's questions to try to help them come to make the same decision I have to support her."
People of all ages asked Clinton questions on many different subjects including job availability and unemployment in the United States, as well as what Sen. Clinton plans on doing about the War in Iraq. To these questions concerning the war, Clinton responded that her mother, immediately upon taking office, would convene with security and military officers to make sure all Americans working overseas are brought home safely.
"I'm proud that my mom was the first person running for president to ask the Department of Defense in the White House what they were planning to do about the war," Clinton said.
Junior Mark Brainard, a political science education major, introduced Clinton and said he was extremely pleased by Clinton's personal presentation.
"It was absolutely fantastic to have someone like Chelsea come to our campus," Brainard said. "Chelsea was extremely well-spoken, extremely intelligent just like her parents and she held herself very well."
Brainard said some of the biggest issues brought up by the audience pertained to foreign policy and health care. He was also pleased to see such a diverse turnout.
"There was actually a wide range of people there," he said. "I saw a good chunk of UD students there. I also saw some middle-aged people there and a couple older people."
Sophomore Anthony Stanziale said he feels Sen. Clinton is the best candidate because she has a concise plan for the future.
"I feel like with Sen. Clinton she's decisive on everything, she has a set plan, a set vision, and she articulates it very well," Stanziale said. "And since this election is so critical, its time that we have a voice that kind of speaks to everyone."
He said he also sees a potential for great progress when it comes to Sen. Clinton's campaign.
"Being younger and being influenced by the war, and especially with all the amendments that President Bush has tried to put against gay, lesbian, transsexual, bisexual Americans - it affects us a lot, and Sen. Clinton has for me, what I'm looking for in a president to steer us in a different direction," Stanziale said.
Brainard said he felt that having Clinton come to campus created a more personal connection between the students on campus and politics, and really was beneficial in getting students who might be more apathetic to be more involved.
"I think having her here was definitely a positive thing for college students to look at and say 'this is a very personal thing and it's a very important thing for us to do,' " he said. "This is the future of our country we're the future and we should have the biggest say in what happens."
Clinton herself agreed on the magnitude of the upcoming election.
"I do think this is the most important election of our lifetime, and if we don't get this one right, the next election will be the most important one of our lifetime," she said.
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