You Know What, After This, I'm Glad Butler Lost in the NCAA Tournament

Kudos to Neal Boortz. The man, a harsh critic of Bill and Hillary Clinton and host of a right-wing talk show, came to the defense of Chelsea Clinton. It's been making waves over the past week, and as you probably know, the former (and potential) First Daughter was part of some controversial banter at Butler University.

Campaigning at Butler on behalf of her mother, Chelsea held a question and answer session where she received a query on whether or not her mother showed leadership during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. The Butler student was cut off mid-sentence by Clinton, as she flatly told the young man that it was none of his business (she also gave some curt background data: according to her, this student was the first to ever ask her this type of question in over 70 college visits). Her response has been getting her killed on various news outlets, but in at least one of these instances a savior spoke on her behalf: Neal Boortz.

Boortz was part of a three man panel on CNN that handled an interview with the Butler student (Evan Strange). The panel had mixed reviews on Strange's controversial question. Two found it to be fair, but there opinions varied on just how fair. Boortz aligned himself of the opposite end of that spectrum and he let Strange know just exactly how he felt about it. While reminding everyone that he is far from a spokesman for the Clintons ("Bill doesn't deserve that kind of daughter," in reference to Chelsea), he proceeded to tear the young student a new one on national television.

In addition to reiterating just how over the line he felt the question was, Boortz also claimed that asking it should get Strange a failing grade in his mass communications class (the very class that enabled him to attend the Chelsea Clinton forum). He also implied that it might serve better interests to kick Strange out of the university. Participating in the debate via live satelite feed, the student could only watch as Boortz delivered these blows and then the condescending death knell: Boortz sarcastically crucified the notion that college students possess minds that are viable to his and his contemporaries.

To his credit, Strange remained poised throughout the public reaming. But, it seemed apparent that the calm was merely a facade and deep down, the young man wanted to react. Following some additional banter between Strange, the moderator, and the rest of the panel, the interview was over an instant and, in keeping with the frenetic pace of 24 hour news television, another, unrelated issue was brought forth for discussion.

However, unlike the panel, I don't want to move on from this issue and discuss the legacy of Viagra (perhaps showing that 24 hour news television often finds itself strapped for content). I would much rather applaud Boortz for his actions. I will readily admit, when I saw "right-wing radio host and frequent Clinton critic," I expected a jerk who was ready to take potshots at Chelsea Clinton. To my delight, he did not. Furthering my delight, he chose to rebuff Evan Strange for asking a question that should be off limits. Would you find it appropriate to ask the child about his or her parents' affair, even if you used the guise that it is a valid question given her parents place in the public spotlight? I would hope not. It matters not that Chelsea is now 28 years old, this question crossed a big line. And I think the fact that a right-wing Clinton critic agrees with me speaks volumes for this line of thinking.