The Chronicle

Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: News
Last update: 4/23/08 at 6:27 AM EST

Media Credit: Heather Guo Chelsea Clinton spoke in the Sanford Institute of Public Policy Tuesday and said her mother, Hillary Clinton, would be a better president than her father, Bill Clinton.

Media Credit: Heather Guo Students and Durham residents listen to Chelsea Clinton speak in the Sanford Institute of Public Policy Tuesday.

Approximately 300 students, faculty and members of the community filled the tiers of the Sanford Institute of Public Policy Tuesday to hear a former-and perhaps future-first daughter speak in support of her mother's candidacy.

Chelsea Clinton gave an informal speech in Sanford's Fleishman Commons at the end of the North Carolina leg of her college campaign tour promoting Sen. Hillary Clinton's fight for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Clinton answered a variety of questions from the audience, often in defense of her mother's policies and leadership abilities. Introducing a common theme of her speech early on, she rated her mother's political ability over that of her father, former president Bill Clinton.

"My mother would be a better president than my father," she said. "She is more progressive and more prepared."

Clinton discussed her mother's campaign in the question-and-answer session, which focused on issues of policy, the environment, health care and the affordability and accessibility of higher education.

"As a young woman and a young voter, I feel students should vote based on issues they really care about," she said. "Think of this election in terms of what is important to you."

In answering questions about her mother's plans for higher education, Clinton highlighted concerns about the inaccessibility of federal Pell Grants and the necessity of civic engagement.

Sen. Clinton has said she hopes to double the Pell Grant maximum to $10,800 and allow students to pay off their undergraduate or graduate debt with careers in public service.

Chelsea Clinton added that middle-class citizens would receive expanded eligibility for Pell Grants, lower interest rates-capped at 3.4 percent-for loans and the ability to pay back loans through civic engagement.

Among all other issues, however, Clinton said she is most proud of her mother's support for universal health care.

"You're more likely to die in this country if you don't have health insurance," she said. "Universal health care coverage is not only morally imperative, but it also lowers cost."

When faced with more aggressive questions from students on topics such as Chinese-Tibetan relations and Monica Lewinsky, Clinton refocused conversation on international health care and human rights.

"We have to reinstate our position in the world," she said. "We can do this through strengthening international public health standards and establishing a holistic relationship with China."

When one student questioned Sen. Clinton's conduct in the handling of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Clinton defended her mother by speaking about the senator's ability to overcome both personal and political hardships.

While the crowd awaited Clinton's arrival, they were entertained by actor and Clinton supporter Sean Astin, popular for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "Rudy."

"[Chelsea] has a quiet strength and a depth of understanding of her mom's agenda," Astin said.

He said he first met the former first daughter when she was a civilian aid to the secretary of the Army during Bill Clinton's presidency.

As Clinton finished, the majority of the audience­-save a few supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama-rose to wave signs and clap for her.

"I thought Chelsea was articulate and simplified complicated issues-even ones I'm not passionate about," freshman Ji Kwon said.

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