Not to be outdone by her father's campaign efforts, Chelsea Clinton will speak on behalf of her mother, Sen. Hillary Clinton, at 11:45 today at an informal forum in the Billiards Lounge on Baker Center's first floor.
The event is sponsored by Ohio University Students for Hillary Clinton and will give attendees a chance to hear Chelsea's remarks on the presidential election, as well as answer any questions they might have.
Clinton is slated to speak briefly, focusing more of the forum's time on questions from the audience.
Sarah Kilbarger, co-organizer of the organization, said Clinton's campaign headquarters contacted the student-run group to bring her to Athens. The outreach comes on the heels of the former president's visit earlier this week and as a way to connect with younger voters.
(Bill Clinton) made a great speech that had a really great turnout
but since it wasn't on campus it didn't focus as much on the student community said Kilbarger. This event is right in the middle of the heart of campus and we're hoping it'll make Hillary and her campaign more accessible.
Kilbarger said while she has seen more visual support for Barack Obama around campus, it is not a fair reflection of which candidate students support. Many Clinton supporters are less verbal than their Obama counterparts.
(Chelsea's visit will) give the students a place to be heard
a place to talk and a place to go
she said.
Kilbarger also said that it's not just the students who are gunning for Clinton but also area residents.
The statistics show that Athens County in general loves Hillary Clinton and is very supportive of her
she said.
Ken Heineman, a history professor at OU's Lancaster branch and expert in 20th century American politics, labor and religion, said Chelsea's visit is a result of support the Clinton campaign was banking on but has not yet received.
I suspect that Hillary isn't getting the vote she needs along Lake Erie
especially in Cuyahoga County
said Heineman.
Heineman also said he was not certain about whether Chelsea's visit would impact college-aged voters any more than her father's.
Chelsea appeals to mothers in their 50s and 60s who want a daughter like her
he said. I don't think it's necessarily that she's appealing to the 20-year-olds in Athens but more their parents.
Officials could not confirm whether Chelsea will be accompanied by Secret Service, but Kilbarger said extra security was on hand for the Bill Clinton rally Monday.' Jess Mosser contributed to this story
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