Monday, February 11, 2008

More Clinton Controversy

News anchor David Shuster of MSNBC has been temporarily suspended after making controversial remarks about Chelsea Clinton. Chelsea has been rallying for her mom on the campaign trail and has invited the media to interview her and youth nationwide on why Hillary Clinton should be the next president. Shuster stated this was not the Chelsea we knew when her father was President; the quiet, withdrawn girl is now a young woman making her voice heard on her mother’s behalf. He then proceeded to ask, "Doesn't it seem like Chelsea's sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way.” Afterwards, Clinton’s press secretary and Shuster exchanged e-mail messages in which Shuster initially defended his statement and got a mouthful. Shuster apologized for using inappropriate language and for offending the Clintons, the campaign, and anyone else.

At a press conference at the University of Maine, Senator Clinton addressed the issue by stating: “the comments were part of a troubling pattern of demeaning treatment. There has been a troubling pattern of comments and behaviors that has to be held accountable.”
Senator Clinton also wrote a letter to Steve Capus, president of NBC, which stated,
"I became Chelsea's mother long before I ran for any office, and I will always be a mom first and a public official second. Nothing justifies the kind of debasing language that David Shuster used, and no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient."
It seems that the Clintons can’t seem to catch a break during the Presidential Campaign.
Chelsea should not have to be demoralized for growing into a mature, young woman capable of having a voice and bringing support to her mom’s campaign. This seems like another attack on the Clinton campaign just because Hillary Clinton is a woman. Therefore, Senator Clinton is right when she states these comments fit a pattern that need to be held accountable.