Prudent Babbling.com

TPB has been out with the flu for the past couple of weeks.  During that time, several events have transpired that bears mentioning.  Last week Chelsea Clinton fielded a question about her mother, Hillary, and how the Monica Lewinsky scandal made Hillary stronger.  Chelsea, apparently dismayed at the questioner’s lack of decorum, completely shut him down.  Said Chelsea, “”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.”  Good for Chelsea!  That question is better suited for Bill Clinton, not his daughter who had to endure the scandal during her most formative years.

The person who asked the question was, shockingly, not a member of the press, but a 20-year-old student at Butler University.  Most twenty-year-olds don’t have the life experience to know asking that question of Chelsea is truly inappropriate.   Truthfully, that type of question is one Americans have come to expect from our shock-for-ratings media.  To the media’s credit, they were not the ones who asked; but have nevertheless stated that if Chelsea is stumping for her mother, then she’s fair game.  Yes, but within the limits of good manners.

Chelsea was a teenager during the Monica Lewinsky scandal and had endured growing up in whole view of the world.  Being a teen is awkward enough without the entire world watching your every move and development.  Couple that experience with the raw pain the child must have experienced as she watched her parents’ dysfunctional marriage playing out on the world stage.  Publicly asking Chelsea about almost certainly the most painful experience in her life is nothing short of pouring acid in the wound.  It is completely beyond the pale.

However, some pundits have stated that Chelsea missed a valuable political opportunity to put her mother in a better light.  Whatever.  How Chelsea handled the question actually puts her in a better light.  Dignifying that question with an answer would have opened Pandora’s Box for Chelsea.  Gutter questions about Monica would be the focus of any appearance she made.  Frankly, TPB is not a fan of the Clintons; but to their credit, they raised a sharp young woman.  Clearly, she is an asset to Hillary… while Hillary’s chances at the presidency are dwindling, Chelsea’s may be favorable in the future. But that’s another topic…

Bottom line, questions about parents’ infidelity are inexcusable.  Did anyone ever ask JFK Jr. about Marilyn Monroe?  Certainly not! Chelsea Clinton’s questions should remain focused on policy, not the extremely personal and painful experiences that her father put her through.  In fact, if the media believes the Monica question is so appropriate, the next time President Bill Clinton is stumping for Hillary, he should be asked… again and again and again.

TPB