February 13, 2008

Chelsea Clinton Visits OWU

Chelsea Clinton (Photo by Amy Allan.)

“She won’t sway me to the Democratic party, but I’m interested to hear what she has to say,” said junior and avowed Republican Amanda Thompson. “I remember when she was on TV as the daughter of the president. She’s a lot closer to our age so she can relate to what we’re interested in.”

Rachel Shanks, a senior, had a slightly different focus. “I’m tied between Barack and Hillary, so I came to hear what she had to say,” Shanks said.

Clinton covered the issues, from Iraq and the middle East—“Open diplomatic relations with every country in the region”—to universal healthcare—“The fact that it is universal really matters. If everyone’s covered, the per-person costs go down for all of us.”

Her other topics included emphasis on early-learning programs for young children, increased government support for public schools at the primary and secondary levels,  eliminating the national debt, repealing the estate tax for those with assets of $7 million or less, increased enforcement of civil rights and women’s rights, and support for alternative energy supplies and “greening” of federal buildings in light of global warming.

Her key recommendations for higher education were:

1. Expand college affordability and access.
2. Expand tax credits for higher education.
3. Eliminate the FAFSA form and replace it with a box to check on the income tax form. (“We know people are deterred from applying for financial aid because the form is so cumbersome.”)
4. Put the federal government back into the business of direct lending to students.
5. Count public service in jobs such as teaching, nursing and law enforcement as payment in kind for college loans.

“I hope you vote for my mom because of my mom and not because of my dad,” Clinton said. “I also hope you don’t vote against her because of my dad,” she added with a smile.

Following Clinton’s talk, two OWU staff members discussed whether Chelsea might eventually run for office herself. “I think she was very well-spoken,” said Ryan Carlson, assistant chaplain. Eric Johnson, psychologist in the counseling center, agreed, saying, “She was very articulate. She softened a lot of contentious issues so they don’t feel contentious, probably because of her style of delivery.”

“She is fabulous. I’m kind of star-struck right now,” said Emily Rose, a sophomore whose family members are longtime Clinton supporters. “She was really articulate and charming—that Clinton charm. She kept on focus. I thought she really related well to the students here.”

Click here for photos from this event.

– Kathy Baird