Like mother, like Chelsea

In support of her mother's campaign, Chelsea Clinton spoke to a crowd of about 200 people Friday, Feb. 22 at Austin Community College's South Austin Campus.

Under a banner stating "Hill Blazers: Our Voice, Our Future," Ellen Richards, daughter of former Texas governor Ann Richards, and Jehmu Greene, former president of Rock the Vote, expressed their support for Hillary. Greene, who grew up in Austin and whose mother received her nursing degree from ACC, said that Clinton supports the American Dream.

Josh Whitcomb, ACC Student Body President gave the final introduction for Chelsea, expressing once again what a great opportunity it is to know that each person's vote counts.

Despite a chilly wind, Chelsea appeared comfortable and confident as she took the platform. As the daughter of former president Bill Clinton and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, Chelsea has come into her own despite a unique and public upbringing.

After briefly introducing herself, Chelsea, 27, urged Texans to vote in both the primary and the caucus, and to vote early. A question and answer period lasting about an hour and a half followed in which Chelsea reiterated her mother's stance on most of the major issues.

Clinton campaign workers worked the crowd, hoping to answer any specific voting questions people might have and get volunteer help for the campaign. David Mauro, Travis County Field Staff for the Clinton campaign, said that Hillary has been there for students in the past regarding issues such as healthcare, and that she has the record to back her statements.

Mauro said that Clinton will extend Pell grants and forgive student loans for public service, as a sort of extension of AmeriCorps which was instituted during her husband's presidency. Whether Hillary will continue that legacy or create one of her own during this unique time in American history remains to be seen.

Sen. Clinton's own history in political action goes back to 1974, when she pushed for legislation to give children with disabilities the right to public education. In 1993-1994, she advocated universal healthcare.

Sen. Clinton supports immigration reform, equal pay for equal work (through the Paycheck Fairness Act), and putting an end to the No Child Left Behind Act. She sees global warming as an opportunity to create jobs, such as "greening" roofs, for individuals which do not require having a high school diploma.

Hillary will push for stem cell research her first day in office, "ending the war on science in this current administration," Chelsea said. "She's the only person running who tells you exactly how she'll pay for everything."

Jeremy Dertien, 21, ACC President of Phi Theta Kappa, missed out on the debate the night before because he had to attend a meeting, but wanted to represent PTK and did not want to miss such a tremendous opportunity. "I think it's great that [Chelsea] came to ACC," he said.

Dertien has been following the campaign but is not yet sure which of the two major Democratic candidates he will vote for. Their stance on the issues, he claims, are nearly the same, but he is specifically concerned about environmental issues, healthcare and the economy.

These are all issues which Hillary has addressed specifically in her campaign and on her website. They are also issues that Chelsea presented and re-articulated with clarity and without hesitation.

All in all, students agreed that they felt better informed after hearing Chelsea speak, and were excited to be a part of the unique opportunity to be involved in the history of America's next president.