NBC's Andrea Mitchell Uses Hillary Clinton Illness to Do Puff Piece on 'Indefatigable' Secretary of State
Following Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's hospitalization this
week for a blood clot, chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea
Mitchell took to Friday's NBC Today to praise Clinton and her daughter Chelsea (who happens to be a special correspondent for NBC): "They
may be the most recognizable mother/daughter duo in America....The
indefatigable Hillary Clinton in a picture shown round the world,
leaving the hospital Wednesday, hand in hand with Chelsea."
Mitchell, who has already provided fawning coverage
of a potential Hillary presidential run in 2016, gushed over mother and
daughter: "The special bond between Hillary Clinton and her only child
has always been obvious. As a White House teenager, Chelsea often
accompanied her mom on official trips....Chelsea became a valuable
surrogate for her mother in the 2008 campaign."
A
sound bite was featured of former Undersecretary of State Ellen
Tauscher, who proclaimed: "She and Chelsea have a very, very strong
relationship and an identity with each other. And I think that, frankly,
of all the jobs that Hillary's ever had, being the mom of Chelsea
Clinton has been her favorite."
Mitchell wrapped up the Clinton propaganda piece by declaring: "It is a
very special relationship that clearly brings joy every day to both and
has helped Hillary Clinton find the strength against occasional
adversity."
Here is a full transcript of the January 4 segment:
7:01AM ET TEASE:
ERICA HILL: There is some good news for Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton, she plans to return to her office next week after she was, of
course, hospitalized for a blood clot in her head.
MATT LAUER: That is good news. She's not going to be doing a lot of
traveling, though, because the doctors have asked her not to do that.
Her daughter, Chelsea, has been by her side through the entire episode.
They clearly have a very special mother/daughter bond. We're going to
talk about that a little bit later on.
7:06AM ET TEASE:
WILLIE GEIST: After enduring a month of health problems, Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton is planning her return next week to business as
usual. The State Department says Clinton is upbeat and recovering well
after being hospitalized for a blood clot in her head. She is at home
resting, but already calling her advisers and working with her staff.
We'll have much more coming up on Clinton and her special relationship
with her daughter, Chelsea, coming up.
7:18AM ET SEGMENT:
ERICA HILL: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's treatment for a blood
clot this week has really put her relationship with her daughter Chelsea
in the spotlight. NBC's Andrea Mitchell has more on their unique bond
this morning. Andrea, good morning.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Mother-Daughter Duo; Special Connection for Hillary & Chelsea Clinton]
ANDREA
MITCHELL: Good morning, Erica. Hillary Clinton is said to be raring to
get back to work and is expected to be back in her office next week,
after that hospitalization for a blood clot in the head. But helping her
get through this medical crisis, her husband, of course, and her
daughter, Chelsea. They may be the most recognizable mother/daughter duo
in America, in the spotlight this week as never before. The
indefatigable Hillary Clinton in a picture shown round the world,
leaving the hospital Wednesday, hand in hand with Chelsea. Family
friends say both Chelsea and Bill Clinton were the best medicine Hillary
could ask for.
ELLEN TAUSCHER [FORMER UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE]: While the Secretary
was in the hospital, that Chelsea and her husband were just a tremendous
resource for her and a source of affection and a source of optimism for
her to return to good health.
MITCHELL: The special bond between Hillary Clinton and her only child
has always been obvious. As a White House teenager, Chelsea often
accompanied her mom on official trips. In a recent interview with Jenna
Bush Hager, the Clintons recalled the excitement of Christmas
decorations during their White House years.
HILLARY CLINTON: Sometimes we did sneak down the night before.
CHELSEA CLINTON: Often we snuck down the night before.
HILLARY CLINTON: To try to get a look.
MITCHELL: Chelsea became a valuable surrogate for her mother in the 2008 campaign.
CHELSEA CLINTON: I fundamentally know that she would be the best
president for all of our mothers and all of our daughters. And all of
our future mothers and all of our future children.
MITCHELL: And they were both inspired by Hillary's late mother, Dorothy
Rodham, the cherished grandmother Chelsea has said she thinks of every
day. Now it is Hillary who speaks longingly of becoming a grandmother.
HILLARY CLINTON: And of course, it is no state secret that I hope to become a grandmother some day.
MITCHELL: Chelsea, now an NBC News special correspondent, is also
taking a more public role, occasionally standing in for her mother.
CHELSEA CLINTON: I'm proud of my mom for many, many reasons. But one of
the reasons I'm chiefly proud of her is the legacy that she'll leave as
secretary of state.
TAUSCHER: She and Chelsea have a very, very strong relationship and an
identity with each other. And I think that, frankly, of all the jobs
that Hillary's ever had, being the mom of Chelsea Clinton has been her
favorite.
HILLARY CLINTON: Speaking personally, you know, there is nothing you
can say to me that makes me happier than say something nice about my
daughter.
MITCHELL: It is a very special relationship that clearly brings joy
every day to both and has helped Hillary Clinton find the strength
against occasional adversity. Erica.
HILL: Andrea Mitchell. Andrea, thank you.
LAUER: And again the good news here is that the Secretary of State is
going back to work next week, which is nice to hear that she's on the
mend.
