The Chelsea Factor: "Does anyone have a question about my mom?"

Young voters are coming out in droves for presidential hopeful, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, who stands a chance of being the first African American President of the United States. Obama has rocked the vote, sweeping past the competition, and sliding in beside New York Senator Hillary Clinton, in a campaign race so close no one can call it. The two Democratic front runners are in what is being called a "dead heat" for the DNC's nod for the nomination. Clinton, who has long enjoyed front-runner status, is now faced with a dramatically polarizing opponent who has shown that he can draw record numbers from traditionally weak demographics. He is also hedging into her presumed lead with women and Democratic big-wigs, eating away at the Clinton movement from all directions.

What the Clinton campaign desperately needs is some fresh material. In spite of criticisms of vagueness and lack of experience, Obama is still riding high on his campaign for change. Clinton on the other hand is struggling right now to come up with something new to say. One thing is clear: young people are a big asset.

Who are these "young people" though? Sure, we are seeing them show up in the exit polls, but they are still an unidentified mass. No one has paid any attention to this demographic because they have never mattered very much. Now they do.

If the Clinton campaign can brand Chelsea as the "face of the youth vote" they might have a chance still. Can they do it? Are they? Is Chelsea's sudden appearance full-time on the campaign trail timed? She could be Hillary's secret weapon.

Chelsea's got it all: she's young, smart, personable, educated. She has absolutely no political record to be attacked. She has never participated in a campaign for either of her parents before. Her only official duty ever, was a 17-day stint assuming her mother's duties as First Lady in January 2000. Chelsea was sheltered from the media and from public opinion by both of her parents throughout her life, which gives her the advantage of mystery, and cast both Bill and Hillary as caring parents. It draws a sharp dividing line between the publicly cold persona of Senator Clinton and a warm and personal mother.

Chelsea is on the college circuit now, stumping for her mother all over the country. But, don't be surprised to see her on the main stage before too long. One inappropriate comment about Chelsea, by David Shuster on MSNBC has propelled Chelsea into the limelight, and opened the door for the Clinton campaign to capitalize on negative press. The Shuster situation is not the first insult from NBC. All this press didn't cost the Clinton campaign a penny. Now, everyone is apologizing and offering glowing opinions of the former first daughter.

What's Chelsea got that Hillary needs? Well, she's young first of all. She's a woman. Being the only person on the planet who can call Hillary Clinton, "Mom," gives her a unique power: she is the best spokesmodel for the softer side of Hillary. Can Chelsea rock the youth vote? With Obama ahead by along shot in that area, she certainly can't hurt. And, as already pointed out, if she can be branded as the "face" of the youth vote, watch out -- the Clinton machine is rolling again.

Chelsea is a wild card. Her near invisibility until now is both a help and a deterrent. What is clear: the Clinton camp is using her where she can be the most effective and it appears she volunteered. She has taken leave from her 6-figure job to join the campaign full-time, and for free. This is smart. If it can be presented that Chelsea has come forward of her own accord, she is free from being seen as a tool. Long gone is the sheltered and reluctant, mousy daughter. The new, improved, Chelsea is looking quite a bit like Hillary Jr., eloquent and witty where her mother is calculated, warm and funny where her mother is cold. All signs, including the words of Chelsea herself, indicate that she enjoys a sunny relationship with her mother, and a credible voice for Hillary being a "real person" is something the Clinton campaign could really use. We've already seen that Bill Clinton may be more of a liability than not, so now the mantle falls to Chelsea.

Can she stand up to the challenge? I think so. The Clintons put so much effort and attention on sheltering Chelsea during Bill Clinton's presidency that she is already an institution of her own. This reclusiveness is mirrored even now in Chelsea's stalwart avoidance of the press; she speaks in prepared venues only. While we will no doubt hear more from Chelsea in the news down the road, her general pattern of refusing interviews is good for now. The more people wonder what Chelsea thinks, the more it will matter when she eventually answers. Scarcity breeds popularity, at least when you've already got the attention of the nation. Be on the look out for a lot more Chelsea.