The Chelsea Flap

Several Sundays ago, a friend and I attended a pro-Hillary gathering at a restaurant in Jackson. Chelsea Clinton was there on behalf of her mom's campaign for president. The way Chelsea dealt with the questions and handled the questioners was impressive.

Afterward, my pal and I agreed at what a superbly intelligent, gracious, lovely young woman Chelsea is--super sharp, super informed and super articulate.

So how did she wind up in trouble with the press this week? Because she snapped back when a college news reporter asked about her mother's handling of her dad's affair with Monica Lewinsky. "It's none of your business," she said, after telling the fellow he was the first on 70 or so campuses to ask the question.

Judging from their joint appearance on CBS TV today, the young man and his editor have opposite views of the appropriateness of the question. The reporter said as a Hillary supporter, he was giving Chelsea a chance to dismiss charges of some that her mom had shown weakness in how she handled her husband's extra-marital affair. The editor said the question had strayed from the subjects at hand and had caused a distraction.

I'd say Chelsea, the reporter and the editor are ALL correct in their views of the matter. So where does that leave us?

My answer is it leaves us with yet another story of no consequence where The Real Issues are concerned. Instead, we continue to be drawn into the vortex of All Entertainment, All the Time. I fear we're stuck there for a while--certainly until November brings us a new president.

Apropos of Auntie Mame's desire for Christmas: please, God, we need a little November right now!