My coverage of the presidential candidates and their children continues. This time, it is with none other than Chelsea Clinton.  Though Chelsea has the most campaign experience of the entire stock of candidates’ offspring, she has always been reserved about speaking to the press. In fact, she's never granted an interview.

Chelsea, from what I saw and heard, simply wants to support her mother at this crucial time. She is passionate about her mother’s quest, the social improvement she believes her mother can achieve for the country, and the overall well being of the world. I have been told by those who have seen Chelsea lecture publicly that she is gifted to the point that she could hold office herself one day -- if she were so inclined. Needless to say, I was sensitive to Chelsea’s reluctance to speak to media, yet intrigued over the opportunity to gain a closer look.

Keeping up with Chelsea wasn’t easy. Most of the campaigns are spread extremely thin in terms of manpower and money, which makes matters difficult enough. Factor in the constant swerves and changes that arise on a minute-by-minute basis during the primaries -- it makes it increasingly difficult to pinpoint exactly when and where candidates and their campaigners would be. Luckily, the good old Internet gave me the clues I needed to track the campaign. It enabled me to keep up with Team Chelsea efficiently.

All matters considered, I knew any kind of “official” interview with Chelsea wouldn't be possible. But I knew we would be able to say hello.  More importantly, we were granted the proper access to be able acutely observe her throughout her day.

Like the rest of the candidates’ children, Chelsea’s day was stacked with various rallies and events. However, because Chelsea is also well-known, she had even more pressure and less time.  Where others in her position could, at least, enjoy minute breaks during downtime, Chelsea is continually inundated with small talk and requests for handshakes, photos and answers to questions that range from the political to the mundane.  Her meals came in the form of a bag lunch, placed in her car, to be consumed in what is her only chance to eat: during drives to later destinations. She flies commercially (which may not seem so grand a gesture except when you consider, again, the fact that she is a well-known public figure).   Through it all, like her father and mother, the positive energy and the patience she displayed never ceased.

When Chelsea did speak officially, addressing the crowd comprised mainly of young voters, she was incredibly well-versed on her mother’s policies. Of all the candidates' children, she was the finest and most informed I have observed. Moreover, I noted just how eager she was to answer questions from the crowd.

What appeared overwhelming to her (and not in a debilitating manner by any stretch), was just how knowledgeable and insightful the college age audience members and potential voters were.  As soon as she completed answering one question, hundreds of enthusiastic hands would shoot up in the air to pose more questions - prompting a smiling and very genuine Chelsea to respond with an “Oh my gosh!”

The interest in the issues displayed by the audience seemed to inspire Chelsea. It was as if she couldn’t answer enough of their questions fast enough. What truly impressed me, beyond her extensive knowledge of the issues and her mother’s stances on them, was the one moment she happened to NOT have an answer to someone’s question. I was waiting for her response to be a spin, a side step or even a generality of some kind.  Chelsea instead admitted she didn’t know the answer AND responded further by promising the person posing the question that she would research and attain the response later. Chelsea then asked the young woman for her email address in order for her (Chelsea) to email the answer directly to her.

In watching Chelsea I was impressed further by her extensive knowledge about her mother's policies. 

"How long did it take to prep her?" I inquired to a staffer.  He said that Chelsea’s been watching her mother's speeches for so long that, by this point, she just knows how to answer. I think some of the credit here has to be given to having a close knit mother-daughter relationship – the type in which the mother and daughter are so close that they operate in sync. The staffer couldn't help but agree.  When the staffer shrugged, “She’s her mother's daughter,” I understood Chelsea and her mother's relationship even better.

For Chelsea’s great enthusiasm and positive nature, she was not afraid to be stern.  She was very opinionated about George W. Bush. She referred to the fact that he had just now visited the Middle East and referred to the fact as a downright “tragedy.”

I also noted that when speaking privately and off stage to students, Chelsea was very delicate in her delivery.  She was pleasant to all and extremely genuine, but very soft spoken.  However, I caution anyone not to misunderstand this observation. Chelsea was extremely poignant and direct in everything she did say. There was no question she couldn’t or wouldn’t answer - save for the one I mentioned previously.  Even on that occasion, she had a firm, assertive and succinct response.

One young voter was wearing a “Vote Obama” shirt and asked Chelsea to take a picture with him.  Chelsea was pleasant with the young man but politely declined. Instead she offered to sign the T-shirt for him.  I know when situations of this nature arise for me - particularly when my parents, friends or loved ones are concerned - I may be less patient.

After Chelsea spoke, I took as much time as I was afforded to interview members of the audience. Students found Chelsea to be “relate-able” and overall considered the day to be a positive experience.  Though I couldn't conduct an official poll, it seemed as though Chelsea aided her mother’s cause.  Certainly, it was refreshing for Chelsea, and for myself, to see young people so concerned and involved in the electoral process.

When I spoke with Hillary weeks ago, she told me that the decision for Chelsea to campaign rests squarely on Chelsea’s shoulders. I remarked to Hillary, in our sit down interview, that it seemed as though Chelsea’s contribution to the campaign would be extremely helpful. Chelsea's notoriety and experience was a secret weapon that almost had to be deployed due to Obama’s surge and his popularity among young voters. Hillary responded that she and Bill Clinton have truly left the decision of Chelsea’s participation, large, small or indifferent, up to her.  My experience with Chelsea now forces me to believe her.  The decision for Chelsea to campaign appears to be of her own volition.  Her parents don’t appear to be pushing her. I sense Chelsea recognizes that her mother does need her help right now. Also, though Chelsea appears to want a life of her own, she is so proud of her mother and what she has accomplished. She mentioned how it was her mother who flagged the desperate need for health care reform long before it was such a fashionable issue. Beyond the pride she has for her mother, Chelsea seems to share Hillary’s passion to help our country and the world, and to help see her mother’s initiatives through to fruition.

It was refreshing to learn about some lighter fare as well in my experience, such as the fact that Chelsea generally meets up with either of her parents on the road each week.  In my brief greeting with Chelsea, I found her to be very pleasant.  Our conversation was strictly off the record but it did give me a further glimpse into her personality. In all honesty, I found her to be much like any other normal 27-year-old. I had heard from her campaign staffers that she hosted a Superbowl party and sported an Eli Manning jersey, too. I wouldn't have expected her to like football but that's why they say don't judge a book by its cover, right?