Recently, Chelsea Clinton exercised her right to remain silent after being asked a hard-hitting question at a college campus about how her mother handled her father's, former President Bill Clinton, affair with Monica Lewinski. She brushed off the question, rebuking instead with a rather defensive remark on why the person asked the question in the first place.

While a family 'affair' is certainly a touchy subject for any daughter to have to deal with, it is all part of what comes with the territory of having a famous political family. Ms. Clinton should have known a question about her father's affair would be brought up, and she should have been better prepared to handle it, instead of beating around the 'Bush.'

The interrogator, Butler University student Evan Strange, a Clinton supporter, said he only asked the question about the affair to 'show what makes Hillary so strong.' Granted, Bill Clinton's affair should not be at all one of the main focuses of Hillary Clinton's campaign for the white house, but Chelsea could have responded with more eloquence and a satisfying answer, instead of responding "Wow, you're the first person actually that's ever asked me that question in the, I don't know maybe, 70 college campuses I've now been to, and I do not think that is any of your business."

I think her response to the question teaches us all a lesson. When you respond on the defense, it only makes everyone combative. It leaves the question unanswered, and creates hostile feelings for all involved. Ms. Clinton could have easily avoided the bad situation had she just responded with a vague yet respectable answer such as 'I admire for how my mom handled herself and held her head high during trying times for the family.' A little bit of courtesy and maturity can go a long way, and while Hillary Clinton handled herself well during the scandal of her husband's infidelity, Chelsea Clinton can learn from her mom on how to handle herself when being questioned. Like mother, hopefully like daughter.

---