January 24, 2008
Chelsea Clinton tour visits Clark
Chelsea Clinton spoke to a standing-room-only crowd on Thursday (Jan. 24) at Clark University’s Tilton Hall. The 27-year-old New Yorker is traveling the campaign trail seeking support among young audiences on a “Conversations with Chelsea Clinton – Our Voice, Our Future” tour, on behalf of her mother, presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Meagan Covino’10, president of the Clark University Democrats student organization which sponsored the event, began the program by lightheartedly thanking “all the students who skipped their classes.” She formally introduced Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), who spoke highly of the University before presenting his endorsement of candidate Clinton.
Clark senior Kerry Dolan, who is currently working full-time for the campaign, also spoke. "Our generation has more at stake than anyone else in the country," he said, before introducing Clinton, who fielded questions from the audience for about an hour. Questions touched on genocide, immigration, health care, climate change, education and more. Among the overflow crowd of approximately 350 was Clark alumnus Mitch Cohen '89. He asked about the war in Iraq and was moved to mention his sorrow over the recent death in Iraq of his friend and fellow Clark alum Maj. Andrew Olmsted '92.
Clinton said she is often asked whether, if her mother wins the presidency, "Will I move back in with my parents? The answer is unequivocally 'No.'" She said she likes her apartment in the city, her work in finance, and her small dog.
Before leaving, Clinton lingered in the hall shaking hands, signing autographs, and posing for pictures with community members, students from local public schools and Clark students, faculty and staff.