Chelsea Clinton (pictured left), daughter of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, drew a spillover crowd at a question-and-answer session at Northampton Community College’s Laub Lounge on March 28.

Poised, friendly and relaxed, Clinton was articulate and lightening-quick in her responses to a wide range of student queries. At her request, students received priority seating in an atmosphere geared to be informal.

Introduced by Eden Fimiano, chairperson of the NCC student government and Paola Mero, president of the Political Science Club, the 28-year-old Clinton made an immediate and comfortable connection with her audience. Her first questioner asked how, given a deluge of publicity from all candidates, voters can know who will truly deliver on their pledges. Clinton, who frequently voiced pride in her mother, related Hillary Clinton’s long-time commitment to universal health care; when Senator Clinton’s plan of 1993 – 94 did not eventuate, she nevertheless forged ahead to expand health coverage, helping pass the CHIPS program, an insurance plan for children.

Other questions targeted issues of accessible and affordable education. Chelsea Clinton recounted her mother’s successful work expanding Pell grants to include the summer and to enlarge the pool of eligible applicants. She said that her mother is committed to doubling tax credits per student per year, expanding Americorps (by which student perform community service jobs in exchange for tuition funds), and reinstating government’s direct, low- or no-interest loans for education.

On the environment, Clinton had much to say about her mother’s goals. Hillary Clinton wants to end tax cuts for oil companies and supports a windfall tax on them. She champions a global effort to substitute alternative sources of energy--more earth-sustaining sources like wind, the sun and clear-burning coal. Clinton envisions “green” buildings whose features would cut down the emission of greenhouse gases. Her mother, Clinton said, is the first politician to endorse “green collar” jobs, occupations aimed at improving our environment.

Hillary Clinton would reestablish the United States’ participation in the Kyoto Protocol, the international convention on climate change, withdrawn from by the George W. Bush administration and bolster American environment-saving leadership among countries that are now primary gas-emitters and those that soon will be.

She is strongly in favor of embryonic stem cell research, voting for a bill that was passed bilaterally but vetoed by President Bush. If elected, she will encourage Congress to resubmit it and she will promptly sign it.

When asked what she would do to strengthen families, Clinton replied “We need to value families, not just talk about family values.” Her mother supports increased early childhood education, ending childhood hunger in part by creating more breakfast and lunch programs in schools, updating and building more public housing and helping families faced with losing their homes through foreclosure.

In a related issue, Clinton cited the candidate’s backing of the Paycheck Fairness Act, now wending its way through Congress. The bill would redress the 67-cent to 77-cent to the dollar wage gap between women and men.

The Iraqi War figured in two student questions. “We should honor the people who are honoring us,” Clinton said, by serving in the armed forces. To help returning veterans, Clinton would promote greater funding for research and treatment of mental and physical wounds, especially the signature disability of this war, traumatic brain injuries. Hillary Clinton is working to pass the 21^st Century G.I. Bill of Rights, which would provide low-interest loans--to older as well as younger veterans--to buy homes and start new businesses. “Such assistance enabled my grandfather, a World War II veteran, to pull his family up into the middle class,” she said.

How would the candidate resolve the War in Iraq? “My mother is leading the fight to prevent the current administration from binding the hands of future administrations to end the war,” she said. “My mother told me recently she would end the war yesterday, if she could. Within 60 days of taking office, my mother would begin bringing troops home safely and securely.” At the same time, she would press the Iraqis to make political decisions about their future.

What would a Clinton Health Care plan be like? The plan would enable those satisfied with their present plans to keep them, while offering alternatives to those dissatisfied or uninsured. “One hundred million Americans do not have health insurance in a given year,” Clinton said. “My mother’s plan starts with the premise of universal health care.”

Clinton showed ready humor when asked whether she would move back into her girlhood room in the White House, were her mother to win the presidency. “My parents would be distraught if I were to come back home at the age of 28.” She also assured a questioner that she has no political ambitions of her own, beyond campaigning for her mother.

After the event, students noted Clinton’s rapport with her audience. “She seemed like one of us,” said Robyn Henry, a general studies major. Gabriella Vega, a business management major, thought that Clinton knew what she was talking about, although she felt that some questions could have been answered more completely.

Although engineering major Matthew Fuchs favors Republican candidate John McCain, he said that is was nice that Clinton visited NCC.

“It is good that Clinton came to NCC,” general studies major Nikita Spears said. “It shows she cares about community colleges. She knows how to relate to a younger audience. It is so important for first- and second-time voters to be able to meet candidates.”

Many students said they were honored that Clinton chose to appear at the College.

Before Chelsea departed, she was presented with gourmet cookies baked by students from the Culinary Arts Program.

The event was sponsored by NCC’s Political Science Club, which has organized political discussion panels, forums and voter registration drives throughout the school year.

Northampton Community College does not endorse any candidates and welcomes candidates from all the campaigns to come here and speak.

To view more photos from this event, please visit the Northampton NOW photo gallery.