Hillary, Chelsea team up to raise cash

Chelsea Clinton warmed up supporters Wednesday night by ticking through her mother's achievements and the Democratic presidential candidate's plans to boost the economy and end the Iraq war.

"I like to think I'm my mother's most enthusiastic supporter, but there might be a few rivals in the crowd tonight," she said after she and Hillary Rodham Clinton were warmly greeted at a fundraiser at a concert hall two blocks from the White House.

Chelsea Clinton, 28, has become one of her mother's top surrogates and has been campaigning from coast to coast, mostly at college campuses. On Tuesday in Indianapolis, she had a quick retort when a male college student asked whether her mother's credibility had been hurt during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

"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," Chelsea Clinton said at a question-and-answer session at Butler University.

The former first daughter encouraged the crowd to reach out to voters in the remaining states that have yet to hold nominating contests, "so that we can have the president that we need, not only for us and our generation, but for our children and the grandchildren that I know my mother wants to have."

The line drew laughter and applause before she introduced her mother, who delivered her standard campaign speech.

Hillary Clinton raised about $500,000 at three fundraisers Wednesday, her campaign said.

Supporters paid between $25 and $500 for tickets to Washington event, depending on where they sat at DAR Constitution Hall. The campaign said it sold out the venue with 2,500 tickets, but not every seat was filled.

The New York senator raised $34.5 million in February — her best fundraising month of the campaign. Counting debts, she ended the month with a net $3 million.

She still trails rival Barack Obama, who raised nearly $2 million a day in February and began March with $30 million in the bank.

Hillary Clinton discussed her plans to make college more affordable and take care of veterans, and the "unprecedented moment in history" in which she is vying to be the first female president and Obama is seeking to be the first black president.

"This has been a spirited contest," the former first lady said. "And, you know, what? It should be. Because that's how America works best."

(This version CORRECTS Corrects top ticket price to $500, sted $250.)