GMA reporter Kate Snow, who filed a segment on the topic, has a long history of rhapsodizing over the entire Clinton family. She marveled at Chelsea for being "there with a smile and hug" and also acting as "her mother's fiercest defender." Using fawning language, Snow commented, "Gone is the shy girl with frizzy hair and braces....Now she's spouting policy details, standing her ground against hecklers." It was only slightly more than a month ago that Snow narrated another piece about Chelsea's impressive campaigning. On January 18, she expounded on the "spotlight" shy Clinton. The ABC journalist claimed then, "To be honest, [Chelsea] doesn't like cameras much...She doesn't want to be in the spotlight."
Snow closed the February 27 segment, by describing, in a tone close to awe, how Chelsea will campaign on her birthday: "So, she'll be up early this morning, on her 28th birthday, hoarse and weary, boarding yet another plane." The hosts of "Good Morning America" couldn't resist fawning either. Diane Sawyer enthused, "And happy birthday." Co-host Roberts backed up Snow's assessment of the former first daughter by saying, "And no doubt, she's a huge comfort to her mother out there on the campaign trail."
A transcript of the segment, which aired at 7:09am on February 27, follows:
ROBIN ROBERTS: Going to go back to the debate for a moment. Because, you couldn't help but notice at the end of the debate that, once again, by Hillary Clinton's side, was her daughter. With pressure mounting on Senator Clinton, she's leaning more and more on Chelsea, who has taken on a new role as Clinton's biggest campaigner and, some say, her last, best hope for a comeback. Well, today, Chelsea celebrates her 28th birthday and she'll do it on the campaign trail. Kate Snow has been spending some time with her recently.
KATE SNOW: She was on stage again last night. Through 20 debates, Chelsea was often there with a smile and hug. And, now, with so many declaring Senator Clinton's presidential bid in trouble, Chelsea has a new role, her mother's fiercest defender.
CHELSEA CLINTON: Nothing makes me prouder than my mom's passionate commitment to health care, my whole life.
SNOW: Asked if voters should worry about a Clinton dynasty, She makes an interesting comment.
CLINTON: I don't think you should vote for or against my mother because of my father.
SNOW: And in Utah, recently, Chelsea was asked if her mother is calculating. Chelsea turned the phrase around, saying, "After this administration, I want a president who's calculating. I want a president who actually calculates what our real challenges are, and what our real solutions look like." Gone is the shy girl with frizzy hair and braces, the young woman who seemed to hold the family together during their toughest moments. Now she's spouting policy details, standing her ground against hecklers.
LLOYD GROVE (Columnist, New York Magazine): It's like she studied up at the dinner table over a whole lifetime.
SNOW: Chelsea never expected to be out on the road for this long this. This is day 22 without a break.
LISA CAPUTO (Senior Clinton advisor): If your mom were running for president, wouldn't you put your life on hold? I know I would. And I think that's exactly what's at play with Chelsea.
SNOW: The campaign wouldn't let us record any conversations with Chelsea. She never speaks on the record. But it's clear, she's enjoying herself and is still confident going into Tuesday's tough primaries. Chelsea says she has no political plans of her own.
CLINTON: My political aspirations stretch to having my mom be my president.
SNOW: So, she'll be up early this morning, on her 28th birthday, hoarse and weary, boarding yet another plane. For "Good Morning America," Kate Snow, ABC News, Cleveland.
DIANE SAWYER: And happy birthday.
ROBERTS: And no doubt, she's a huge comfort to her mother out there on the campaign trail.
