Results tagged “Maria Menounos” from Access Hollywood
I'm standing here in Chicago's Grant Park as the first portion of election results are trickling in. It feels like the calm before the storm. The general public has just been allowed into the park and they are racing for position as if participating in a diamond giveaway. It's chaotic, for sure, but exhilarating. Incredibly, the background is serene. The normally frigid Chicago is actually relatively warm, and the landscape couldn't be more beautiful. Sky rises are all lit up.Most notably, there's one with lights arranged to read "USA."
The media and general public feel as though they are all ready to be part of history in electing either the first African American President or the first female Vice President. People came out in record numbers to vote, perhaps showing the world that we are, in fact, ready to reclaim our image and redeem the current woes we are experiencing in this country.
Young people showed what they were made of - "rocking the vote" as it were. Celebs are taking a back seat here as I've heard tonight it is all about Obama - no celebs are expected to be in view during his speech. That could change, but that's what we are hearing now.
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 in 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 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.
Click Here to watch the video of Maria with Chelsea Clinton!
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. Factoring in the constant swerves and changes that arise on a minute-by-minute basis during the primaries makes it increasingly difficult to pinpoint exactly when and where members of a candidacy will be. Luckily, the good old Internet gave me the clues I needed to track the campaign to the best degree possible and enabled me to keep up with Team Chelsea efficiently.
All matters considered, I knew any kind of “official” interview with Chelsea would not be possible. But, through her and her handlers, 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 what little downtime exists, Chelsea is continually inundated with small talk as well as 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 which was placed in her car, to be consumed in what is her only chance to eat: during drives to later destinations. She flies commercially as well 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 to exude.
I flew from NY, having finished my
duties on the "Today" show Wednesday, to Columbia, South Carolina in
order to interview Sarah Huckabee and Meghan McCain. I had been efforting the
candidates’ kids for a few weeks and finally on Monday night I started getting
responses, which I am very happy about.
I sat with Sarah Huckabee in the
boardroom of the Courtyard Marriott. They took over this conference room as a
mini headquarters of sorts for her, her brother David and a few staffers to
work from. She has been on a 36-hour bender and was definitely tired, but she
managed to give us a lot of time.
The candidates’ kids have been
very visible in this campaign, more so than we’ve ever seen and all in very
different roles. With Sarah and Meghan for example - Sarah is the national
field director for her dad’s campaign and Meghan chose a less official role -
she started a blog to document her journey for those curious about the process.
Both have chosen very public roles unlike the more silent role of Chelsea
Clinton.
Why? I think we live in a time
where there is unprecedented access to information - via the Internet and sites
like YouTube and MySpace. In this particular campaign, that access is helping to
connect these candidates with the masses, and the younger voters in particular.
It humanizes them to see their real moments and to see that their kids are just
like us. The young people relate to the kids and thereby connect with the
parent much more than ever before, which may be the reason why so many young
people seem to be more interested and engaged in this race than previous races.
