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Chelsea Clinton Steps Out

Former first daughter begins to embrace public life

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 4, 2011 3:17 PM CST

(Newser) – She's the only child of one of the most powerful couples in American history, the gangly teen who has spent her life ducking the glare of the spotlight her parents craved, the bride whose wedding was watched as if she were royalty, and the would-be journalist whose latest gig inspired fury. And now, Chelsea Clinton is stepping out of the shadows and embracing public life, reports the New York Times in a lengthy and flattering profile. “My parents taught me to approach the world critically, but also to approach it with a sense of responsibility,” Clinton tells the Times.

Aside from her work with the Clinton Global Initiative, Clinton has this year joined Barry Diller's IAC board and taken a job reporting at NBC News—steps deliberately taken toward a public life and public service. Grandmother Dorothy Rodham “told me being Chelsea Clinton had happened to me,” says Clinton, “and outside of my advocacy work and campaigning for my mom, I wasn’t doing enough in the world.” Clinton was also rumored to be considering running for office in New York, but though she will undoubtedly inherit the Clinton mantle, her political ambitions are less certain. But, says one Dem consultant, she'd be a welcome addition: “She’s smart, she’s charming, and she’s got the last name Clinton.”

In this Nov. 5, 1996 file photo, President Bill Clinton hugs daughter Chelsea and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton as they watch fireworks during an election night rally in Little Rock, Ark.
In this Nov. 5, 1996 file photo, President Bill Clinton hugs daughter Chelsea and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton as they watch fireworks during an election night rally in Little Rock, Ark.   (AP Photo/Greg Gibson, File)
FILE - In this April 22, 2008 file photo, former President Bill Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea, flank Dorothy Rodham, mother of Hillary Rodham Clinton.
FILE - In this April 22, 2008 file photo, former President Bill Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea, flank Dorothy Rodham, mother of Hillary Rodham Clinton.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
In this Feb. 9, 2011 photo, Chelsea Clinton attends amfAR's annual New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. Clinton is going to work for NBC News.
In this Feb. 9, 2011 photo, Chelsea Clinton attends amfAR's annual New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. Clinton is going to work for NBC News.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Chelsea Clinton attends the George Washington University kickoff rally as part of a 2012 Clinton Global Initiative University project to collect and recycle 20,000 used cell phones.
Chelsea Clinton attends the George Washington University kickoff rally as part of a 2012 Clinton Global Initiative University project to collect and recycle 20,000 used cell phones.   (Getty Images)
Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton, and husband Marc Mezvinsky listen to  President Obama deliver remarks at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, Wednesday, Sept., 21, 2011.
Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton, and husband Marc Mezvinsky listen to President Obama deliver remarks at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, Wednesday, Sept., 21, 2011.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Chelsea Clinton attends the 2011 Women For Women International Gala at The Museum of Modern Art on November 17, 2011 in New York City.
Chelsea Clinton attends the 2011 Women For Women International Gala at The Museum of Modern Art on November 17, 2011 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
Chelsea Clinton sits with husband Marc Mezvinsky during the closing session of the seventh Clinton Global Initiative on September 22, 2011.
Chelsea Clinton sits with husband Marc Mezvinsky during the closing session of the seventh Clinton Global Initiative on September 22, 2011.   (Getty Images)
Hillary Rodham Clinton is applauded by daughter Chelsea Clinton during the closing session of the seventh annual Clinton Global Initiative on September 22, 2011.
Hillary Rodham Clinton is applauded by daughter Chelsea Clinton during the closing session of the seventh annual Clinton Global Initiative on September 22, 2011.   (Getty Images)
This July 31, 2010 file photo shows former President Bill Clinton walking his daughter Chelsea down the aisle for her wedding in Rhinebeck,NY.
This July 31, 2010 file photo shows former President Bill Clinton walking his daughter Chelsea down the aisle for her wedding in Rhinebeck,NY.   (AP Photo/Genevieve de Manio Photography,Genevieve de Manio, File)
Chelsea Clinton speaks with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright during the seventh annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative on September 21, 2011 in New York City.
Chelsea Clinton speaks with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright during the seventh annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative on September 21, 2011 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
Former President Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea attend the Clinton Global Initiative dinner at the Museum of Modern Art on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010 in New York.
Former President Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea attend the Clinton Global Initiative dinner at the Museum of Modern Art on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010 in New York.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Chelsea Clinton, her grandmother, Dorothy Rodham, center, and mother Hillary Rodham Clinton on her wedding day, Saturday, July 31, 2010 in Rhinebeck, NY.
Chelsea Clinton, her grandmother, Dorothy Rodham, center, and mother Hillary Rodham Clinton on her wedding day, Saturday, July 31, 2010 in Rhinebeck, NY.   (AP Photo/Genevieve de Manio Photography, Barbara Kinney)
Chelsea Clinton attends the opening night performance of the Broadway musical Promises, Promises in New York, Sunday, April 25, 2010.
Chelsea Clinton attends the opening night performance of the Broadway musical "Promises, Promises" in New York, Sunday, April 25, 2010.   (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
Marc Mezvinsky, Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and Bill Clinton at the Astor Courts Estate on July 31, 2010 in Rhinebeck, New York.
Marc Mezvinsky, Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and Bill Clinton at the Astor Courts Estate on July 31, 2010 in Rhinebeck, New York.   (Getty Images)
Chelsea Clinton looks on during the annual Clinton Global Initiative September 21, 2010 in New York City.
Chelsea Clinton looks on during the annual Clinton Global Initiative September 21, 2010 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 49 comments
Winston_Smith
Dec 5, 2011 9:20 AM CST
We Americans tell ourselves we hate royalty, but the reality is we can't get enough of it, we've been obsessed with presidents' children for almost as long as the country has existed.  Most likely Chelsea will be just another in a long line of offspring who thinks his/her parentage makes her an Important Person, trades on her name to get the chance to do something high profile, and ultimately winds up way over her head, a la James Roosevelt, Margaret Truman, JFK Junior, Patty Davis, and of course W.  
summerfairy
Dec 4, 2011 8:50 PM CST
It's ok to be a 1% if you have the last name Clinton.
The_Truth
Dec 4, 2011 7:27 PM CST
America's most pathetic puppet couple, yes. Far from powerfull.
 

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